Norman Roy Thal Jr.

Norman Roy Thal, Jr. died on March 25, 2025 at the age of 93. The son of Norman Roy and Evelyn Esther Schwartz Thal, he was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 14, 1932, and lived in Detroit until his family moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1942. In Toledo, he graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1949, where he served as editor of the school’s newspaper. In 1953, he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan, where he was a member and president of the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity.

Following college, Norm spent a year in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as part of General Electric’s Management Training Program. Then he joined the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Detrick, Maryland, from 1954 to 1956.

After his discharge from the army, Norman joined the family business, Inshield Die & Stamping Company, back in Toledo. At the time, his father, uncle, and grandfather were part of the business. His grandfather, Roy Thal, started the company in 1919. Norm rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the company’s president in 1975. He sold the company twenty years later, in 1995.

Through the years, Norman was active in many organizations. He served for eight years on the Sylvania School Board from 1970 to 1977 and was the executive director of the Sylvania Community Services Center. A longtime member of Congregation Shomer Emunim, he served as Co-Chair of the Building Committee for its current facility in 1973. He was a founder of the Toledo Modern Art Group (TMAG) and a member of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. In later years, he was an active member of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a teacher for Junior Achievement, and a volunteer with the Toledo Metroparks and the Franciscan Center of Lourdes College.

Since grade school in Detroit, Norman was a student of the piano, which he continued through adulthood. Perhaps thanks in part to his piano, he met and married Marguerite Irene Long, a professional organist, in 1961. Norman performed with friends and family throughout his life, and even returned for occasional lessons with his former teacher, Elizabeth Gould Hochman, when his daughters began studying with her.

From his first trip to Europe in 1958 until his last trips in his 90s, Norm loved to travel. He and Marguerite traveled together around the world for decades. They both reached dozens of countries across all seven continents. Norm even worked part-time as a travel agent for a few years, arranging trips for individuals and groups. After Marguerite’s death in 2008, he continued exploring on his own and with family and friends.

Norman is survived by his two daughters, Betsy (Geoff) Gephart and Sarah (Steve) Cantley, and three grandchildren: Noah, Grace, and Timon. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lucas County CASA Advisory Board or Sylvania Area Family Services.

Please share your memories of Norman by posting in his Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434