Los Angeles
County
Biographies
LEONARD
J. NORMAND
A
man of action in the field of athletics is Leonard J. Normand, Director of
Parks and Recreation for the City of Monterey Park.
The
son of Jacob and Fanny (Pollachek) Normand, Leonard
Joseph Normand was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 1927. Educated in Bethlehem elementary schools, he
graduated from Liberty High School in 1944, and then attended Lehigh University
for one year prior to moving to California in August, 1945, where his father
was engaged in the grocery business.
Soon after his arrival in California, Mr. Normand enrolled at Santa
Monica City College, where he studied for two years. He also attended Pepperdine College for one
year and was graduated from Los Angeles State College in June, 1961, with a
Bachelor of Science degree in recreation education.
During
World War II Mr. Normand enlisted in the United States Navy. In 1952 in the Korean War, he served with the
United States Army as a Special Service Recreation Director in Korea for
thirteen months. He was awarded the
Commendation Medal in November, 1953, by the Secretary of the U. S. Army for
his outstanding achievements as the Athletic and Recreation NCO for the 223rd
Infantry Regiment of the 40th Division. He also received the Korean Service Medal
with three Bronze Service Stars, U. N. Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge,
and National Defense Service Medal.
Mr.
Normand was employed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
in April, 1949, serving as play leader and working up to Assistant Recreation
Director and then was promoted to Recreation Director prior to being loaned to
the City of Monterey Park in October, 1958.
In March of 1959, he was formally appointed as the Director of Parks and
Recreation for the City of Monterey Park.
Leonard
J. Normand was married to Miss Sheila I. Gordon, a native of Los Angeles, on
April 8, 1951, in Los Angeles, California.
Mrs. Normand is a graduate of Marshall High School and attended Los
Angeles City College. The Normand’s have
three lovely daughters: Julie Ann, born
on August 28, 1954; Jean Anita, who was born on August 26, 1958; and Laura
Marie, born on October 24, 1961.
Active
in the community, Mr. Normand is a member of the Rotary Club of Monterey Park
and of the Monterey Park Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Southern
California Municipal Athletic Association, serving as chairman of boy sports. He is a past president of the San Gabriel
Valley Athletic Association and is a past treasurer of the California
Recreation Society, C.P.R.S., District 13.
Aside
from his hobbies of reading and boating, Mr. Normand, quite naturally, is a
sport enthusiast and is interested in all fields of athletics and sports.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 701-702, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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BIOGRAPHIES