Charles C. "Charlie" Whitty

4/6/1943 - 1/29/2026

Norwich - Charles C. Whitty, former Norwich city manager and longtime city official, died Thursday Jan. 29, 2026, at his home in Bozrah. Whitty, 82, was born in Norwich April 6, 1943, the son of Dr. Charles A. and Mary (Fields) Whitty.

He is a member of the Class of 1961 at Norwich Free Academy and graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1965. He then attended Villanova University School of Law, where he was awarded the J.D. in 1969.

Charles returned to Norwich where he was hired as assistant manager in 1970. In 1973, he became City Manager and remained in that position until 1986, when he went into private practice of law with the firm of Berberick, Murphy, Devine, & Whitty PC.

He became Executive Director of the Norwich Housing Authority in 2000, retiring from that position in 2018, capping a 47-year career of service to his hometown.

That same year, Charlie was inducted into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his long involvement with the city's youth sports and the Norwich Golf Course. He began coaching youth baseball and basketball while still in school. Charlie was manager of the Thamesville AC Braves in the Norwich Senior Little League for 16 years, garnering eleven championships, and was All-star manager for four years. He served on the Norwich Little League Board of Directors for ten years and as assistant to the Norwich District Director. He later was a co-founder and director of the Norwich Big League (for ages 16-18) and coached all-star teams to five state and regional titles.

As a devoted Catholic, Charlie coached the Sacred Heart (Norwichtown) basketball team in the Norwich City League and the Norwich Diocesan CYO league for fourteen years, winning multiple titles. He was an avid follower of UConn basketball and he delighted in attending the NCAA Championships as often as he could obtain tickets.

Charlie was the 1977 recipient of the Sportsperson of the Year award from the Hall of Fame and served on the Board of Directors for six years.

Among his proudest accomplishments as city manager was the acquisition of the Norwich Golf Course by the city in 1978. For the past 47 years, Charlie served on the Norwich Golf Authority, which has run the public golf course as a self-sustaining entity.

Charlie is survived by cousins: Betsy Stimpson of East Hampton, Jack Fields of Taftville, Anne Krech from Maryland, and Timothy Sullivan of Old Saybrook. Although he was the last of his immediate family, he was supported by faithful friends, Elmbrook Village Assisted Living , Assured Quality Homecare, caregivers, with special thanks to his live in caregiver, Faith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Feb. 14, at St. Patrick's Cathedral. There are no calling hours. godere-guillotfuneralhome.com.