Remembering 'Stormin' Norman,' Longtime NHS Coach

Norman Westlake, who passed away August 2, wasn't a Newtown native -- born in Amesbury, Mass., he attended school there and in Alabama. Upon retirement, he moved to Florida, where he enjoyed golfing, fishing and boating, according to his obituary in the Palm Beach Post.

But he made his name in Newtown as a coach in the 1970s, earning the moniker "Stormin' Norman." Coaching everything from tennis to track, he led Newtown's football team to multiple league titles and two state championships -- one of which came at the end of an undefeated season. He also coached famed athlete and Newtown native Bruce Jenner in the decathlon.

"'Stormin' Norman' was a beloved fixture at Newtown High School for over 25 years," read his obituary. "On his retirement, he searched the eastern seaboard for a place to enjoy the ocean and golf. As the bridge closed over Jupiter Inlet on his drive he got out of his car, looked down into the crystal clear waters to the bottom below, and knew this was it."

Westlake leaves behind two sons, Robert and Christopher, and two grandchildren, Lindsay and Cooper. Family and friends held a gathering in his memory at the Suni Sands Clubhouse in Jupiter, Fla., on August 8.

"[H]e worked hard and played hard … a great life philosophy that I think he always tried to pass along to the kids at NHS," reader Paul Alexander told Patch. "He always seemed to have an impish grin on his face as if something hilarious just ran through his head, which was probably exactly what was happening. He always seemed to know exactly where you were supposed to be at school at a particular time and he had a knack for bumping into you when you weren’t there. A great educator. Name something school-related after him."