Norman M. Stitham

Norman Millage Stitham passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024 after a brief illness. A former resident of Plainville for 43 years, he had lived in South Lyme for the last 18 years. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn (Gibson) Stitham. Born in New Britain, CT in 1931 to Perley Theodore and Judith (Larson) Stitham. He was pre-deceased by his siblings, Perley Jr., Robert and Joyce.

Norman was an active volunteer for his entire life. While raising a family in Plainville, he was involved with the Knights of Columbus Council 3544, rising to the rank of 4th degree. He also served as Grand Knight, was very active in the State Council but perhaps his most proud moments as a Knight involved his time with the Columbian Squires. He was also active with the Plainville Historic Society and the Friends of the Plainville Library, raising money for the heritage wall. In South Lyme, he was active with the Old Lyme Historic Society, Lyme Grange 146 and Old Lyme Grange 162, an avid supporter and friend of the Point O’ Woods Women’s Club as well as the co-founder of the Point O' Woods library (formerly housed in his garage).

He was an avid genealogist and researcher. His family and friends will remember him for the many (many) laminated volumes documenting his family, Marilyn’s family as well as the history of Old Lyme and of Point O’ Woods. His Point O’ Woods calendars and book club bookmarks were a joy for him to make. He was fiercely independent, up until his final day, and took great pride in living alone, maintaining his yard (especially Jimmy’s bushes), and working on his research projects. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He is happy to be reunited with Marilyn.

He is survived by his four children, Debbie Johnson (Jay), Linda Bouchard (Danny), Stephen Stitham, Kathy Langton (Peter); his five grandchildren, Philip Bouchard, Courtney (Johnson) Milton (Joe), Katie (Bouchard) Ochs (Justin), Griffin Johnson (Anna) and Colin Langton; as well as his greatest pride, his great-grandchildren, Tucker and Maia Ochs, Lily Mae Milton, and one more on the way. Also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Lorraine Gibson and many nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank his neighbors at Point O’ Woods who kept an eye on him over the years (always noting when the hatchway was up, or he was out in the yard working). While he may have grumbled about the attention, he always knew he was surrounded by people who cared for him. We would also like to thank the staff at Farmington Valley Apple Rehab as well as the Hospital of Central Connecticut for the care and support they provided.

Calling hours are omitted. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate in his memory can send it to the Plainville Historical Society, 29 Pierce St., Plainville, CT 06062.

The staff at Plainville Funeral Home extends their gratitude to the Stitham family for their trust.  For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com

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