Columbus, OH — Norman Vance, 95, of Plymouth, Mass., died Feb. 25, 2023.

He was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Nov. 18, 1927.

Mr. Vance is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sharon. They lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Jupiter, Fla., until their move in 2020 to Plymouth to be near their daughter, Katherine Schram. Mr. Vance is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Donna Crane, and granddaughters, Anna Crane and Isadora Crane; Elizabeth Bickley, and grandchildren, Margaret Bickley and Andrew Bickley; and dear friends, Dan and Ellie Pettee. He was preceded in death by his son, Arnold.

Mr. Vance was a kind and generous man. He was a writer, raconteur, humorist, horseman and lover of all sports.

He began his writing career while a student at City College of New York as sports editor for The Campus. He wrote for Stars and Stripes while serving in the Army of the Occupation in Toyko, Japan, in 1946. Once home, he worked on Madison Avenue in various advertising capacities until moving to Grand Rapids to serve as Director of Advertising at Amway Corporation.

He had a lifelong love of horse racing and owned several winning Standardbreds, including Gotta Have Clout and Clearly Clout. He also wrote a column for Hoof Beats.

Mr. Vance was a member of First (Park) Congregational Church, the Breakfast Club of Grand Rapids, and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Memorial contributions may be made to First (Park) Congregational Church, 10 East Park Place, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 236, Plymouth, MA 02360.