Norman C. Taylor

Norman C. Taylor of Woodbury, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2017 at the age of 94. He is survived by his loyal wife of 67 years, Adele Madeline Stemmler. They were married on July 8, 1950 in Wading River, Long Island. He is survived by their four children: Daniel Taylor and his wife Carol Rhodes of San Carlos, California, Andrew Taylor of Gaborone, Botswana, Samuel Taylor of Woodbury, Connecticut and Martha Taylor of Windham, Maine. In addition, Norm is survived by his sister, Constance Taylor Howard of Fort Meyers, Florida and pre-deceased by his brother Stanley Taylor.

Norm loved outdoor projects including relentless weeding, pruning and tree trimming; wood splitting was a particular favorite (“you’ll get warm twice”) as was carving out snow igloos for his children. Other projects involved building a tennis court and gazebo and regular bouts of field mowing, brush clearing and arduous relocations of small boulders. Norm made it clear that none of these initiatives would have been possible without his daily breakfast of Grape Nuts Flakes and “buc buc on a raft” (a poached egg on toast).

But while Norm’s work was rarely done, he always made time to play. Norm was an enthusiastics sportsman who enjoyed skiing, tobogganing, ice hockey, hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing and highly competitive games of golf, tennis, pool, ping-pong, bridge and monopoly. “Grandsir” shared these passions with his six grandchildren: Greg Taylor, Kevin Taylor, Annie Taylor, Maddie Taylor, Nevada Horne and David Horne. Norm was delighted to have the entire Taylor clan join him for an unforgettable tented safari in Botswana and Zimbabwe in 2007.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1923, Norm grew up in Providence, Rhode Island and South Danville, New Hampshire. Norm worked as a Division Waterfront Director at Camp Yawgoog and became an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 82 of Providence, a pivotal influence in his young life. Later, Norm would be especially gratified that his son Daniel, and grandson, Kevin, both attained the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1973, Norm was awarded the highest Boy Scout volunteer recognition, the Silver Beaver badge.

Norm entered Brown University in 1941, playing drums at football games and studying for a mechanical engineering degree. In his sophomore year, Norm joined US Navy  Officers Training Corps. In December, 1943, Norm was called to duty in WWII, serving aboard a Light Cruiser, the U.S.S. Mobile, which saw action in the Marshall Islands and was the first American Ship to enter the harbor of Nagasaki after the dropping of the atomic bomb there in August 1945.

Norm returned to Brown University and finished his engineering degree in June, 1947. A month later he started at Chase Brass & Copper Co. of Waterbury, Connecticut. Norm and Adele’s first home was on Woodbury’s Main Street and they have been Woodbury residents for 67 years.

Norm served on Woodbury’s Land Use Agencies, Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals; he was Zoning Chairman for two years(1978-1979). Norm’s  commitment to the First Congregational Church spanned his life in Woodbury; he served as Moderator, Deacon, Trustee and Church School Superintendent. In 1972 Norm was asked to serve as Waterbury Hospital Trustee and later was its President in 1981.

Norm’s professional career centered on archery manufacturing. In 1953, Norm opened a branch of his father-in-law, Louis Stemmler’s business, Stemmler Archery in Waterbury, Connecticut. In 1959, Norm opened a factory in Middlebury, Connecticut, with sales to large discount stores, summer camps, school and sporting goods stores throughout the USA and overseas. Norm worked in the archery business for over 35 years and served as President of the Archery Manufacturers Association in 1981.

Norm is remembered by his family as a kind, good-humored and patient man who gave of himself with purpose and generosity. We will miss his fireside stories of courageous cabin boys outwitting pirates on the high seas and his notes from Santa Claus written in a shivery script. We will miss his early morning exhortations to all those still lying in bed that “the kitchen closes in five minutes!” We will miss his abundant enthusiasm for life and his sense that there is urgent work to be done each day.

The memorial service will be May 5th at the First Congregational Church of Woodbury, at 10:00 A.M. Memorial contributions may be made in Norm's memory to The First Congregational Church, 214 Main St. S., Woodbury, Connecticut, 06798. Munson Lovetere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com    

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