Norman Woodard, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Feb. 4, 2013. He was born Nov. 16, 1924 in Spokane Wa, and is survived by his wife, Mary, his children Kristen, Barbara, Woody, Dale and Patti, their respective spouses, and ten grandchildren.

Norm grew up in the Spokane area, which he always spoke of fondly, and worked for the circulation department of Curtis Publishing until he joined the Army, where he served as a corporal throughout Europe during World War II.

After his discharge from the Army he returned to Curtis and covered a sales area of the entire Northwest and Montana, during which time he married and started his family in Eugene, Ore. He transferred with his family to Philadelphia and worked out of the Curtis headquarters in New York City before returning to the Northwest permanently to start his own book distributing business, Book Service Unlimited, in Everett. Along with running his business for 30 years, he was an active member of the Everett Yacht Club, served as a board member of Pioneer Bank, was president of Northwest Booksellers association for several years, president of Useless Bay Colony for many years, and was involved with Boy Scouts.

After retiring he and Mary spent their winters playing golf and entertaining at their home in Palm Desert, Calif., and the rest of the year at their home on Useless Bay on Whidbey Island.

Dad was never happier than when he was spending time with his family and friends cruising Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on the “We Seven,” playing golf on Hat Island, celebrating the 4th of July at the beach house or hosting his annual neighborhood Christmas Eve party.

He will also be remembered for his wood paneled station wagons, sourdough pancakes, making the perfect martini and barbecuing the perfect steak, which, incidentally, cannot be done on a gas grill.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Norm’s life at 2 p.m. Friday Feb. 15, at the Everett Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, the Woodard family suggests a donation to Island or Snohomish County senior services, or Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.