Petersburg Pilot -

Norman Lee Cheney, 75, passed away unexpectedly on October 25, 2015, in Petersburg, Alaska.

He was born September 22, 1940, to Helen and Ed Cheney in Morton, Wash., the second of eight children. He joined the Navy at seventeen and served for six years. He returned to Washington and worked in a lumber mill before turning to logging. Norman married LaVerne Lester in 1967. He moved the family, wife and daughter Bobbi Jo, to Alaska in 1976. He logged for Pentilla Logging, Reid Bros., and L&P, and started commercial fishing before they settled in Petersburg.

Norman was very witty with an infectious smile and a good sense of humor. He loved his family unconditionally and had a passion for fishing and hunting. He lived his dream by owning five different boats, Lobono, Bobbi Jo, Torun, My Own, and Randi Jo. The My Own was his favorite, a forty-two footer, the one on which he taught his grandson Dustin to be a deckhand. Grandchildren Randi Jo and Levi learned to fish on the Randi Jo. Norman fished from Petersburg to Port Protection and all surrounding waters. His favorite place was Port Protection.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, and sister Deborah.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years LaVerne, daughter Bobbi Jo, grandchildren Dustin, Randi Jo and Levi, step-daughter Donna Noble and step grandchildren, Brandon and Doug Tripp, brothers Kenneth and Richard, sisters Billie, Jerrie, Colleen, and Cheryl, great-granddaughter Haley, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at the First Baptist Church of Petersburg with Pastor Earl Midkiff officiating on Nov. 11.