Obituary - Norman Maze

Retired Havre Fire Chief Norman Maze passed away of natural causes on November 27, 2021 at Northern Montana Hospital with his son and daughter at his side.

Norman was born May 8, 1929, in Havre. He was one of 13 children of Luther and Louise Maze.

He attended local schools and assisted his family on the farm until he entered the Army in 1946. After basic training at Fort Lewis, WA, he was stationed in Japan as a member of the Occupying Forces. The high point of his time in Japan was shaking hands with General Douglas MacArthur when he was serving as a member of his honor guard.

He returned to Havre and worked as a telephone lineman. It was then he met his future wife, Margaret DeMars. They were married on Dec. 8, 1951 and were blessed with three sons and a daughter.

After several years working as a lineman and in construction he began the career he would hold for the next 40 years when he was hired by the city of Havre as a fire fighter in 1956. He rose through the ranks and retired as Fire Chief in 1986. He then worked as Fire Chief at the reopened Havre Air Base until it was permanently closed.

Always a hard worker, in addition to being a full-time fire fighter, he worked for the school district as an activities bus driver and as a meat cutter at several local grocery stores.

Norman was always generous with his time. Whether he was mentoring Boy Scouts, carving turkeys for community dinners or helping at his church, he was always ready to help. Nothing made him happier than helping his family, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his sons William and James, his parents, his brothers (Archie, Murrel, Harold, Gordon, and Scotty), and his sisters (Minnie, Noreen, Louise, Eva, and Lorraine).

Norman is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret; his son Timothy (Meg) Maze of Ranchester, WY; his daughter Cindy Maze of Havre, MT; his grandson Christopher Maze of McCall, ID; his granddaughters Dr. Sarah (Ian) Zerbe of Boise, ID, and Kandi Maze of Cheyenne, WY; his brother Harvey (Carol) Maze of Great Falls, MT; his sister Audrey (Bill) Halcomb of Tooele, UT; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Norman's honor may be made to the Havre Fire Department, the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church or a person's choice.