Norman A. Tanber

Norman A. Tanber, a retired Toledo firefighter, died Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Foundation Park Care Center. He was 85.

Norm was one of those guys who seemingly knew everyone. A running joke among family members was when they’d run into one of Norm’s pals and they made the connection the response invariably was: “Norm’s my best friend.” Norm Tanber had a lot of best friends.

He was one of the leaders of a band of fun-loving cronies. Amid the good times - and there were plenty over the years - there were numerous acts of charity. Among them was the formation of the Baker’s Dozen, which every holiday season organized a “Do It!” party to raise money for gifts and groceries they delivered to underprivileged families.

A skilled organizer and promoter, Norm chaired numerous charity golf events. He also was well-known for hosting one of the city’s early Super Bowl bashes, an annual event that drew hundreds hoping to cash in on his squares’ games.

Among family and friends, Norm was a legend for his uncanny ability to gain entry into any major sporting event without paying more than the face value of the ticket – or less.

Norm was born Nov. 1, 1937 to Abe and Lillian [Nasser] Tanber, the offspring of Lebanese immigrants. He attended Rosary Cathedral School and graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisc. Norm, whose upbringing was more modest than many of his classmates, loved to recall how he subsidized his Campion years in poker games with his less skilled school pals.

Norm attended classes at the University of Toledo, but college wasn’t for him. Following in the footsteps of his father, he joined the U.S. Postal Service. That career was short-lived.

In 1962, Norm joined the Toledo Fire Department, where he found his calling, and was a member of TFD’s first paramedic’s squad. A back injury forced him into early retirement after 25 years in the department.

In 1984, Norm met Norma Kells, beginning a 39-year relationship, the last 25 of them married. They were a great couple - and an ideal team. Once Norma retired from her teaching career, the two of them began traveling the world – something Norm never imaged doing. Africa, Greece, China and Spain were among the destinations. Norm’s friend Walter Bonkowski planned the trips with Norm his able lieutenant handling many of the daily on-the-road details.

In his later years, Norm sadly suffered from a gradual form of dementia. But he remained a formidable gin rummy and euchre player and greeted every visitor with a firm handshake and a thanks for stopping by. His illness damaged his mind but not his spirit.

Surviving is his wife, Norma; sister, Marcia Tanber; stepchildren, Karen [Jim] Swartz and Steven [Nicola] Kells; and step-grandchildren, Justin and Jordan Swartz, and Alexander and Olivia Kells.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., where there will be a Last Alarm service presented by members of the Toledo Fire Department at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be private.

The family suggests contributions to the Toledo Firefighters Museum, where Norm was a volunteer, 918 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43612.