Norman Alfred Gustafson

Norman Alfred Gustafson, 82, of Columbia, passed away Thursday evening, December 20, 2018 at the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain.  He was born in Middletown on January 19, 1936, a son of the late Alfred and Isabel Gustafson.  Norm married his beloved wife, Flora Marvin in 1957 at the Colchester Federated Church.  The couple made their home in Colchester where they raised their family.  Norm was a co-owner and founder of Carefree Small Buildings in Colchester from 1979 to present.  He was a Life Member and former Chief (from 1969 – 1983) of the Colchester-Hayward Volunteer Fire Department.  He will be remembered fondly for the countless hours of volunteer work, helping people in his community and leadership within the Fire Department.  Most importantly, he was a hardworking family man who will be sadly missed, but always remembered with love by his beloved wife of 61 years, Flora; his children, N. Reed and his wife Ellen Gustafson of Colchester, Donna and her husband Ken Tardif of Bozrah, Tracy Stelmach and her fiancé, Mark Fergione of Coventry and Todd and his wife Susan Gustafson of Columbia; grandchildren, Matthew and Courtney Gustafson, Paul Tardif, Britta, Kersten and Jonathan Stelmach; a great granddaughter, Leighton Tardif;  siblings, Robert (Louise) Gustafson, Nancy (Albert) Cummings and Betty Gustafson, all of East Haddam, Linda Morgan of Columbia, Merilyn Gustafson (Bernie Begun) of East Hampton and Joyce Terrio of Colchester; as well as numerous extended family and friends.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Lue Markham.  The family will receive guests 4 – 7 PM Friday (Dec. 28th) at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester.  The funeral will assemble starting at 10 AM Saturday (Dec. 29th) at the Colchester-Hayward Firehouse, 52 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.  Burial with Department Honors will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Colchester.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Colchester-Hayward VFC, 18-54 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester 06415 or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).  

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