01945 Summer 2024

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Softball team
doing it for Norman
Showing Norman's impact beyond
just Marblehead, the softball team
received a player-signed team
ball from Saugus High. The teams
faced each other the day after
Norman's death.
STAFF PHOTO: EMMA FRINGUELLI
By Mark Aboyoun
and Joey Barrett
Magazine Staff
Sometimes, it takes a tragedy for
people to come together in ways no one
thought possible.
Todd Norman, town native and
owner of Norman Landscaping,
was beginning another season as an
assistant coach on Marblehead’s varsity
softball team when he suddenly died in
his home on April 8.
He was 61 years old.
“I received texts and calls from
past players asking what they can do
because coach Norman meant so much
to them,” head coach Johnny Gold said.
“He meant everything to us. We’ve
lost a great coach, great father, great
husband, and a great friend.”
Missing a beloved voice in the
dugout, Marblehead played a game
the day he died. Gold made sure his
players made the decision whether to
Todd Norman
play or not.
“We gave them the option and I told
them I’ll stand behind you whether you
want to play or not,” Gold said. “Our
captain, Ruby (Calienes), called me and
said, ‘We’re playing.’
Marblehead went on to beat Reading
9-3 that day, before defeating Saugus
6-1 the following day – all for Norman.
“Now, we’re playing the rest of the
year for coach Norman,” Gold said.
Norman’s impact went beyond just
Marblehead. Saugus’ softball team
presented a signed ball to Marblehead
before the two teams faced each other
that week.
“We wanted to do something,”
Saugus coach Steve Almquist said. “I’ve
known Todd since I came into this
league. Johnny and Todd are such great
people and I was so sad yesterday when
Johnny told me he passed away… As
a team, we wanted to give something
to the family, just to let them know
that Todd wasn’t just respected in
Marblehead and that we appreciated
Pool C
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01945 Summer 2024.indd 26 6/4/24 12:14 PM