LOCKPORT — Norman W. Sinclair was born June 3, 1924. Except for three years of service to his country with the Army in World War II he had lived in Lockport his entire life.

Norman began his long banking career in 1942 with Lockport Savings Bank (known then as Farmers and Mechanics’ Savings Bank), and worked his way up from a runner at the bank to president, holding many positions along the way. In 1974, he was elected president and chief executive and served in that role until he was elected chairman of the board of trustees in January 1989.

Sinclair retired in 1994 at the age of 70 after contributing 52 years to the same institution, known today as First Niagara Bank. Norm graduated from the School of Savings Banking Graduate program at Brown University and the school of management development at the University of Massachusetts.  He served as a Director of the Buffalo Branch of The Federal Reserve Bank of NY and the Institutional Investors Mutual Funds M.S.B. Fund.

He had served his community extensively as Chairman of Clubs and organizations and Metropolitan Divisions of the United Way Campaign, Chairman for the Eastern Niagara United Way. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award by the Greater Niagara United Way earlier this year.

In 1982 Mr. Sinclair was named Citizen of the Year by the Lockport area Chamber of Commerce.  In 1995 he was selected as a Distinguished Honoree by the National Society of Fund Raising in 2007. He accepted the Leader of the Year Award for Leadership Niagara on behalf of the Grigg-Lewis Foundation, serving as President of the Board. In 2008 he received the President’s Medal from Niagara County Community College.

He served as President of the Board for the Grigg Lewis Foundation, President of the 4-H sponsors committee of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Past President and current Secretary of the NCCC Foundation; Trustee of the Lockport Public Library and an active member of the Lockport Rotary Club.

He was chairman of the board of the Presbyterian Homes of WNY. He also served as a member of the Presbyterian Homes Foundation. He was a trustee of the YWCA and the Kenan Center in Lockport.

Norman was also an avid bowler with 55 ABC tournaments to his credit and was a member of the Lockport Bowling Hall of Fame.

Predeceased by his wife, Ruth E. Sinclair on March 22, 2000, he is survived by his children, Paula M. (Barry) Gilbert of Mountville, PA and Steven M. (Jayette) Sinclair of Lockport; his granddaughter, Stephanie Gilbert; nephew, Donald E. Sinclair and dear friend, Carolyn Lange.

Friends may call on Wednesday 7-9 PM and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Lange Funeral Home, Inc., 186 East Ave., Lockport, NY. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM from the First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church St., Lockport, NY. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Girl Scouts of Niagara County, Lockport Public Library or Niagara Hospice House.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.langefuneralhomeinc.com.