Norbert A. Neffinger

West Springfield- Norbert A. Neffinger, 91, passed away Monday in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born and raised in Boston to the late John and Ann (Flannery) Neffinger. He moved to the area in 1939 and worked as an aerospace engineer, specializing in propeller design for Hamilton Standard. He worked there for 40 years retiring in 1991. He was an active communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Springfield and he taught CCD there for 30 yrs. He served in the navy during WW II in the Atlantic Theatre. Norbert was stationed on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Guadalcanal, and at nineteen he was youngest officer on the ship and was assigned as the aircraft maintenance officer overseeing two hundred men. In June of 1944 the carrier task force picked up a German U-boat on sonar. After a successful depth charge attack the damaged submarine surfaced and was quickly captured. The submarine contained documents and equipment that were invaluable to American intelligence proving very useful in the war effort. The Germans were unaware of its capture until the war ended. The task force received the Presidential Unit Citation for this effort. Norbert enjoyed attending re-unions with the members of his task force and the German sailors who served on the U-505. These were held in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry where the U-boat is preserved. After the war, Norbert returned to Notre Dame to finish his degree. Though he was very active in the community Norbert�s life was devoted to his children and family. Norbert was predeceased by his cherished wife, Avis (O'Donnell) Neffinger in 1972. He leaves his loving children, Mary (Neffinger) McGuire of Northampton, Joseph Neffinger and his wife Lori of Westfield, Lisa Davis and her husband Jeffrey of Belchertown, Vincent Neffinger and his wife Doris of Southampton, Gregory Neffinger and his wife Yael of W. Spfld., Stephen Neffinger and his wife Janet of Ware and Francis Neffinger and his wife Kathy of W. Spfld. , seventeen devoted grandchildren as well as six great-grandchildren. Sadly, Norbert was predeceased by his daughter, Ann Marie Neffinger in 2007 and his son, Andy Neffinger in 2013 and his son-in-law Michael McGuire this year. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-7 PM at the TOOMEY-O'BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield St. W. Spfld. Family and friends are invited to a 10AM Liturgy of Christian Burial SATURDAY at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine Street, the burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle School, 47 Pine Street, West Spfld. For more details please visit toomeyobrien.com.