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Donald E. "O.J. Norberg was in intensive care 43 days
STRUTHERS
Donald E. “O.J” Norberg is in a regular room at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after 43 days in intensive care recovering from a gunshot wound suffered when he was assaulted Dec. 22, 2014.
Norberg, 37, of Struthers, was about 12 days into his recovery from the gunshot wound when a massive blood clot traveled to his lung and heart. He required open-heart surgery and was placed in an induced coma from which he finally awoke last week, said his father, Donald W. Norberg of Beaver Township.
Medically, O.J., a lifelong city resident and a 1995 graduate of Struthers High School, is doing much better, his father said.
“He’s breathing on his own. He’s talking. ... He knows everything that’s going on. He’s moving his hands and arms and feet. The next step is physical therapy,” his father said.
What is not improving is his financial situation, however.
O.J. ’s employer, J.S. Bova Excavating of North Jackson, has paid his insurance premiums from the day he got hurt.
“The way I feel, O.J. is a good worker and good employee. I’m a small company, and I value family. I would do this for any of my guys,” said Joseph Bova, owner.
But, medical costs have exceeded the policy’s coverage limit.
Also, there are expenses associated with his recovery not covered by health insurance, said O.J.’s father, who retired as a supervisor after 30 years for Pepsi Cola’s Youngstown market. He also worked for 13 years at Multi-Flow in Ravenna, and most recently for Voith Industries as an outside contractor at the Lordstown General Motors Complex.
To help O.J. and his fiancee, Christie Tate, and stepson, R.J., with expenses, the Norberg and Tate families and Bova Excavating are having a benefit spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Nicholas Church, 764 Fifth St.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Takeouts are available.
In addition to the dinner, there will be a bucket auction, 50/50 raffle and a disc jockey. Also, Team O.J. shirts will be available for $10; $13 for sizes 2XL to 4XL.
People who wish to donate items for the auction can contact J.S. Bova at 330-538-3048 or Jen at 330-565-7097 or they can be dropped off at 12240 Commissioner Drive, North Jackson.
Monetary donations can be made to the Huntington Bank payable to Team O.J.