COLUMBUS, Miss. — Norman Arthur Cormier, 77, of Columbus, Miss., passed away Saturday, May 27, at Baptist Memorial Hospital — Golden Triangle, Columbus, Miss.

Mr. Cormier was born April 10, 1940, to the late Leander and Annette Parradis Cormier in Rumford, and moved to Columbus, Miss., 35 years ago. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Yellowstone. Mr. Cormier was a 1959 graduate of Rumford High School, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maine at Farmington, then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science and master’s degrees at the University of Maine in Orono.

Mr. Cormier was a certified physical education specialist and health instructor. He developed an adaptive physical education program for severely handicapped individuals. Mr. Cormier was head ski coach and assistant football, basketball and trainer.

He was an avid jogger and competed in two Boston marathons and many AAU road races. In 2001, Mr. Cormier retired from Weyerhaeuser, where he was employed for 26 years.

Mr. Cormier is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sarah Elizabeth King Veazey Cormier, of Columbus, Miss.; daughters, Dianne M. Cormier and Paula C. Moran (Richard) Reiff; son, John N. (Patty) Cormier; stepsons, Terrell “Terry” (Lisa) Veazey Jr., Carl (Allison) Veazey and Mark Veazey; sister, Anita C. Ryder; four grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cormier was predeceased in death by his sisters, Jeanette C. Glaude and Lucille C. Murphy; and a brother, Robert Cormier.