Norbert George Vogl, Jr., 92, of Colchester and Essex Junction, Vermont, passed away peacefully the morning of August 7, 2024 at Mansfield Place in Essex Junction, comforted by family members and resident staff at the time of his passing. He was born in Albany, New York, the son of Norbert Sr. and Eva (Noll).
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marjorie (Finn). He is survived by his loving wife Joan (Lachowich) of 62 years, children Subdeacon Norbert III and spouse Leila (Nassar), Steven and spouse Jackie (Girard), Timothy and spouse Karin (Schell), John and spouse Christina (Perruccio), Andrea, Anthony and spouse Nicole (Goddu), and Debra. He was especially proud to be “Opa” to nine grandchildren.
An engineer at heart, he earned his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1956. He was a longtime employee of IBM, starting in Poughkeepsie, New York, then moving to Essex Junction, Vermont when the site opened, until his retirement. He has multiple patents to his name for innovations in semiconductor technology and computer circuitry design.
He enjoyed sharing his talents with family and friends. He was known as a jack-of-all-trades who could build or fix practically everything, talk knowledgeably about anything, and was always willing to lend a hand or a tool or give helpful advice. The father of seven active children, he attended every event he could throughout their school years. He loved dogs and was a loving grandfather who enjoyed attending or hearing about any events his grandchildren participated in. The son of a railroad engineer, he had a passion for steam locomotives and model railroads.
He was a devoted member of Holy Cross Church in Colchester, Vermont where he was actively involved with many aspects of Catholic education. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, an Eagle Scout, Cubmaster and Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, and a volunteer with the Ethan Allen Homestead and other civic organizations over the years.
His family wishes to especially thank the amazing staff and residents of Mansfield Place, and the staff at Bayada Home Health for helping to make his last months humane and comfortable, and wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love and support during this time.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations in his memory be made either to the Office of Vocations to support seminarians (mailed to The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, 55 Joy Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403), or to the American Red Cross, where he was an active blood donor for many years.
Visitation will be on August 12, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the LaVigne Funeral Home in Winooski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 13, 2024 at 10:00 am at Holy Cross Church in Colchester, followed by interment at New Mount Calvary Cemetery in Burlington. A reception will follow at Holy Cross Church.