Norbert was born June 2, 1899.  He was the first child to Mary Ellen (Ella) McGonigal and John Thomas McGuire in Arnprior. Soon after they would give birth to his sister, Helen. He grew up being a Roman Catholic, attending and being baptised at St. John Chrysostom Church in Arnprior. He was christened June 6, 1899, being just 4 days old.  His uncle and aunt, William and Mary McGonigal were given the role of his Godparents. Before joining the war, Norbert worked as a clerk at a mill in town, most likely run by the well known McLaughlin Bros. Norbert decided to sign up for the military force on August 15, 1916, and was officially discharged on August 31, 1916

After the war, Norbert started working for the Canadian Immigrant Services when he was 31, during the year 1935.  He later settled down with his spouse, Agnes Erma (Marshall) Gillian. They were married in 1939 and later had two children, Patrick and Theresa McGuire. Norbert Thomas McGuire officially retired in 1970. After spending a couple of months celebrating his recent retirement, he would sadly pass away at the young age of 66.