VERNON – Richard A. Norwood, 82, of Vernon and formerly of Manchester, passed away on Jan. 28, 2011, from complications due to pneumonia and after a decade with Alzheimer’s.
Dick, as he was known to family and friends, was born on July 3, 1929 in Lackawanna, Pa., to Clarence Norwood and Hazel (McCulley) Norwood. They moved to Norwich, where Dick attended school, and was a basketball standout at Norwich High School. He graduated in 1948. He joined the Army in 1950, during the Korean War, and was discharged in 1952. After the service, he went to Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1956. Dick worked for Remington Rand Corporation in Utica, NY for two years before becoming a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for Glaxo-Smith Kline Company in the Syracuse area. He was promoted to a Senior Sales Rep and transferred to Manchester, Conn. in 1965. He retired from Glaxo Smith Kline after 29 years at age 58. He continued to work until age 70, as former competitors sought his consultation and employment to launch new products.
He enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, bird hunting and his beloved hunting dogs. Dick was a gregarious, generous person who was happiest talking to friends and strangers. While raising his family, he often took second jobs bartending, where his personality served him well, at the Officers Club in Hartford and the former Acadia Restaurant in Vernon.
Dick is survived by his wife, Rosemary (Gilday) Norwood , formerly of Oxford, and his children, Mary Ellen (Molly) Evans, and her husband, Tom Evans, of Bloomingburg, daughter Tracy Norwood of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Son Lee Norwood of Vernon, Conn., as well as two grandsons, Alexander Evans and Jacob Norwood. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Robert Norwood, of Huntsville, Ala. and sister Jayne Thompson, of Saratoga Springs.
For the last three years of his life, Dick lived at the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill, where he made many friends and was well cared for by the staff. His family will always be grateful for the caring people who tended to their husband and father so thoughtfully.
A memorial service will be held at the Connecticut Home for Veterans, 287 West St., Rocky Hill, on Friday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m., with burial immediately following across the street at the Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Connecticut Home for Veterans, specified for Recreation Programs for the Alzheimer’s Unit, 287 West St., Rocky Hill, Ct. 06067.