from Batavia Downs Media Relations
Batavia, NY — Normand Richard (Norm) Fluet Sr., 59, of Aberdeen, N.C., died April 24, 2015.
Mr. Fluet died in his home, surrounded by family, while fighting a terminal illness.
He was born in Sherbrooke, Canada on April 14, 1956, to Yolande Perreault of Boucherville, Canada and the late Jean-Noel Fluet. He had lived and raised his family in the United States for the past 45 years.
Mr. Fluet discovered his passion for the horses at an early age through his father who enjoyed Standardbred racing. His love for Standardbreds found him establishing his own stable where he trained, drove and owned many horses over the years. He had a natural gift when working with trotters and breaking babies in preparation for handling and racing.
In 2007 Mr. Fluet stopped driving as he passed the reins to his son, Phillip, who was beginning his career in the business. Norm, Phillip and Lori worked closely together preparing yearlings down south and racing them in the northeast. Although horse racing is competitive, many who knew Mr. Fluet would agree that he was always willing to give a helping hand to his opponents.
He notched 913 wins as a driver with earnings of $4.4 million. As a conditioner he won 280 races with purse earnings of $2.3 million.
Bruce Tubin, president of the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, said, “Normand began working for me when he was 21 years old. He was as dedicated, hard working, knowledgeable, and trustworthy a person as you could ever find. He loved working with our young horses and was fabulous at getting them to the races. He eventually established a stable of his own as he was way too talented to remain a second trainer. We had many great years together that I will never forget.”
He was a devoted horseman known for his honesty, integrity and consideration of others.
He was a proud member of the United States Trotting Association, the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, the Standardbred Owners Association of New York and the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association.
Mr. Fluet is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lori Ann (Finch) Fluet; children, Normand Jr., Phillip (fiance, Abbey Westbrook), Alan, Julie (Michael) Kukenberger, Shane and Kasey; mother, Yolande Perreault; grandchildren, Kalie, Chantelle, Lily, Jamison, Ava and Sophie; brother, Serge; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Gloria Finch; and several nieces and nephews.
Per his wishes cremation took place on April 27, 2015, in North Carolina and will be followed by a mid-June memorial service in Batavia, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his life. Any and all who knew Norm will miss him dearly and forever keep him in their hearts.