Norman G. Gadoury, Jr.

Gadoury, Norman George, Jr., of Providence, RI passed away after a long illness on Sunday, 7 August 2016 at age 66.  He was a graduate of Scituate Jr Sr High School (1967) and of the University of Rhode Island (1972), where he received his BA in Classical Literature.   Norman was a lifelong student, acquiring skills as a luthier and maker of Appalachian dulcimers, a caterer, an accountant and income tax advisor, a university financial aid advisor, and a player and teacher of traditional banjo.   All of these were accomplished despite lifelong health challenges.  Much of his childhood, spent in Hope Village, was accompanied by leg braces, crutches or a wheelchair.  He recovered and is remembered as a scholar in high school, with a particular interest in classical studies, which he pursued at the University of Rhode Island.  Shortly after beginning his university studies, and at a time when transplant surgery was largely an experimental procedure with a minimal survival rate, he received a kidney transplant from his father Norman G. Gadoury Sr in 1970.  Although his father passed away in 1986, that kidney lived to the age of 96 in Norman Jr, until his death on 7 August, making him, 46 years later, perhaps the longest surviving kidney transplant recipient in the world.

Norman is survived by his mother Shirley M. (Colvin) Gadoury-Rudolph of Hope RI, by his two brothers, David M. Gadoury of Geneva, NY and Allan W. Gadoury of Bozeman MT; by four sisters, Sheryl Petrarca and Sharon Marsocci of Hope, RI and Ann M. Shopland and Susan Gadoury of Fountain Inn, SC.  He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, and great nieces; including James Petrarca of Coventry, RI; Brian Petrarca of Hope, RI; Keri Smith of Hope, RI; Melanie Barske of Exeter, RI; David Shopland of Greenville, SC; Nathaniel Gadoury of Geneva, NY; Brooke and Kaelyn Barske of Exeter, RI; and Carmella Petrarca of Coventry, RI.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 10:00-11:00 am in the HENAULT-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 5 Eddy Street, West Warwick followed by a memorial service in the funeral home at 11:00 am.  Graveside interment immediately following at Highland Memorial Park, Johnston.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the American Kidney Fund (http://www.kidneyfund.org/)

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