Norman Reed Gustafson, 65, of Colchester, passed away on the morning of July 19, 2024, at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown.

Born on March 15, 1959, Reed was the beloved son of Norman Alfred Gustafson and Flora (Marvin) Gustafson. He spent his early years growing up in Colchester on South Main Street until moving into his forever home at Lake Hayward in 1983. Reed deeply loved his Colchester community and served in many different capacities, including as Emergency Management Director (1980-2016), Fire Marshal (1987-2016), and as Building Official (2014-2022). He also served as Assistant Building Official for the Town of Salem (1995-2014) and as an East Haddam Police Officer (1984-2004).

Reed’s professions never took him away from the greatest joy in his life—spending time with his cherished wife, Ellen, and their two children, Courtney and Matt. Together, they made wonderful memories full of laughter and unforgettable moments. His family will forever remember him as an intelligent man of many talents and interests. He greatly enjoyed deep sea fishing and building beautifully intricate fishing rods. Reed loved having NHRA Drag Racing playing on the TV during Sunday mornings at home and was an accomplished saxophone player. He participated in many competitive pistol shooting events and, as a younger man, loved to play hockey and fostered a love of working on his cars—especially his Camaros.

Reed could bring a smile to anyone’s face and always had a dirty joke at the ready. He was a fun-loving, kindhearted soul with a great sense of humor, and would give the shirt off his back for a friend in need. A hardworking, devoted family man, Reed will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. 

Reed is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Ellen (Boober) Gustafson, his mother, Flora Gustafson; his daughter, Courtney Smith and her husband, Eugene; his son, Matt Gustafson; his grandson, Walker Smith; his brother, Todd Gustafson and wife, Susan; and his two sisters, Tracy Fergione and her husband, Mark, and Donna Tardif and her husband, Ken. Reed was predeceased by his father, Norman Alfred Gustafson of Columbia, CT, in 2018.

Reed’s family will receive friends from 4-7PM on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, CT 06415. A graveside funeral service will be celebrated the following morning on Saturday, July 27 at 11AM at Linwood Cemetery, 235 Linwood Cemetery Rd., Colchester. Guests may arrive at the funeral home between 9:30AM and 10:30AM for a procession to the cemetery in the morning. In lieu of flowers, donations in Reed’s memory may be made to the Colchester-Hayward Volunteer Fire Company, 18-54 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT 06415. 

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