Senator Wayne Norman Dies At 62

Maryland Senator Wayne Norman died Sunday. He was reportedly at his home in Harford County when he passed unexpectedly at the age of 62. The senator represented Harford and Cecil counties.

Both the Maryland and Harford County flag will fly at half-staff in honor of the state senator, who has been in office since 2015.

Norman was an attorney who continued to oversee a practice in Bel Air while serving as a lawmaker. He has been active in local and state government for more than a decade.

He was to run unopposed for his seat in the upcoming election and was "at the top of the world with his life," recently becoming a grandfather and having an "incredible legal career," Senate Minority Leader J.B. Jennings, who serves Harford and Baltimore counties, told The Washington Post Sunday upon learning of the senator's sudden passing.

Norman graduated from the University of Baltimore, was president of the Harford County Bar Association in 2009, was a past chair of the Harford County Republican Central Committee and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company.

He was a member of the caucus on veterans and rural counties, among others, and had previously served on Harford County's planning and liquor control boards. He maintained a law practice on Main Street in Bel Air.

The senator leaves behind a wife and two children.

“The First Lady and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of such a distinguished public servant, husband and father. Our hearts go out to Senator Norman’s wife, Linda, their two children, and granddaughter," Gov. Larry Hogan said.

"Senator Norman devoted decades of his life to serving his constituents in Harford and Cecil Counties, first at the local level, and then as a Delegate and Senator," Hogan continued. "His important and dedicated work on the Judicial Proceedings and Ethics Committees will not be soon forgotten, nor will his steadfast advocacy on behalf of rural Marylanders and our veterans. I know I am joined by the entire General Assembly and all state officials in praying for Senator Norman’s family and friends as we honor his life and service."

Hogan ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the senator. Harford County Executive Barry Glassman did the same.

“On behalf of the family of state Senator H. Wayne Norman Jr., I am deeply saddened to announce that Sen. Norman passed away at his home earlier today," Glassman said in a statement issued at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday. "In honor of his devoted service to our community, I will be ordering the Harford County flag lowered to half-staff until the day of interment.”

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be provided by McComas Funeral Home.

Norman was appointed to the House of Delegates, where he served from 2008 to 2014, to fill a vacancy left by Glassman when the then-delegate moved into the senate after he was appointed to fill the seat for J. Robert Hooper, who resigned due to illness at the time. Norman was elected to the senate in 2014.

Photo courtesy of Maryland State Archives.