NORMAN ‘MIKE’ STENSLAND 
Norman “Mike” Stensland, 88, a life-long resident of Gilbertsville, NY passed away on Wednesday morning, January 18, 2017 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY. Mike was born the son of the late Hans and Lilian (Miller) Stensland on September 29, 1928 in Oneonta NY. On April 4, 1954, Mike married his true love, Patricia McKenna at the St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church in Ridgefield, NJ.
Mike was employed by many construction companies as a carpenter throughout his life, and as superintendent for Wade Construction and Kotasek Construction. He was a member of the Holy Cross Church in Morris, the Gilbertsville Fire Department (serving as past-president and trustee), FASNY, CNYFA, Otsego and Chenango County Fireman’s and Fire Police Association, he was the director of Firematics Starters and Judges of Otsego County, and was a member of Carpenters Union Local #281 in Binghamton.
In his free time, Mike enjoyed fishing, gardening, spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. He was the definition of a high-school sports fan; attending many events even after his family had graduated from the school.
Mike is survived by his wife Patricia and their children Linda Holt, Diane Stensland, Michele (John) Birdsall, and Michael (Bobbi) Stensland; his grandchildren Joseph and Heather Melita, Courtney Birdsall, Stephen and Ryan Hold, Lillian, Ivy, and Blake Stensland; also survived by his sister Jean Stebbins. Mike was predeceased by his son-in law Doug Holt, sister’s Dorothy Curtis, Evelyn Meers, and Pauline Stensland, and brother John Stensland.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Johnston Funeral Home, 60 Broad Street Morris, NY 13808. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 9:30 A. M. at the Holy Cross Catholic Church of Morris with Father David Mickiewicz, officiating. A burial at Brookside Cemetery, Gilbertsville, NY will follow the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gilbertsville Fire Department, P.O. Box 72, Gilbertsville, NY 13776 or Gilbertsville Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 181, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.johnstonfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Johnston Funeral Home, Morris.