Robert Norman Alday passed away peacefully on Monday, July 3, 2017 in Fernandina Beach after 102 years of life. Born on May 5, 1915 in Burnt Mill Creek, Fla., to James Calhoun Alday and Wortley Dare Holland Alday, he was the seventh of the family’s eight children.
Raised in Gainesville, Fla., Norman later attended Central Florida Business School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry in 1942, landing on the beaches of Normandy on June 8, 1944. He was captured weeks later in central France and survived the remainder of the war as a prisoner in Poland. He ascended to the rank of major before his retirement. On December 29, 1948, Norman married Martha Barrett Williams in Elkins, W.V. They were a devoted couple and happily married for 64 years.
In 1954, Norman relocated his family to Fernandina Beach, where he joined Container Corporation of America. He retired from Container Corporation as general manager. He was a very devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach, where he faithfully served as a deacon, elder and member of the finance and planning committees. For many years, Norman served on the board of directors of the Citizens Bank of West Virginia and the local Elks Club in his adopted home of Elkins. Growing up in Gainesville, Norman was a lifelong fan and supporter of his Florida Gators, and was a member of the Gator Boosters for over 65 years. While his health allowed, he never missed a Gator football home game! In his life, he found pleasure on the water, boating and fishing, on the golf course with friends and family, and in the garden tending his beautiful vegetables and citrus trees.
“Norm,” “Dad,” “Poppa,” “Granddaddy” was greatly loved and admired by his three children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, who respected his dignity, strength of character, humility and discipline. He dearly loved his wife and family and is survived by Phil Holland Alday (Cathy), Valdosta, Ga., Judith Barrett Hardwick (Jim), Jacksonville, Elizabeth Dare Bartelt (Ted), Raleigh, N.C.; grandchildren, Dr. Holland (Dr. Angela), Robert Norman II (Rachel), Truitt, John (Ashley) Alday, Barrett (Judson Oswald), James Osburn, Parker Hardwick, and Elizabeth Dare Bartelt; great-grandchildren, Martha Barrett, James Barrett, Judson Wynn, Robert Norman III, Malcolm, Annabel and Catherine. Norman was predeceased by his wife, Martha Barrett Alday, in 2012.
A service of interment will take place at Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins, W.V. on July 14, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach. Dr. Wain Westberry of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. M. McCoy Gibbs of Leesburg, Fla., Norman’s brother-in-law and his nephew, Rev. Robert Gibbs of Tallahassee, Fla. will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alday Cottage, First Presbyterian Church, 9 N. Sixth St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, 450 Randolph Ave., Elkins, WV 26241 or to a charity of your choice in memory of Robert Norman Alday.
Oxley-Heard