Norman E. Titcomb Jr.

 (Father rock)

Norman E. Titcomb, aged 82, passed peacefully October 25th at Middlesex Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. 

Born June 19, 1943, Norman’s life was marked by his multifaceted career and dedication to both his family and his passions.

His life began in Windsor Connecticut but he later moved to Simsbury and then West Hartford graduating from Conard High School 1961. He spent summers at Otis Reservoir East Otis Mass. Boating and sailing the summers away.

His passion for music began in those formative years. Piano lessons abounded but he had a natural ability like his parents. He could play music by ear. He not only played keyboards but he played guitar and a 12 string guitar at one point. He was very talented.

His first band was the Monarchs while he was in high school. They even had gigs at Uconn.

This began a long list of bands over his life.  He moved back to Windsor where his parents lived after high school.  While he lived there he worked for the SNET Telephone company and was called to duty to serve his country. He did his basic training at Fort Dix. Later while in Windsor He opened his first recording studio Grief Sound Studios on Bloomfield Avenue. His band ‘The Good Grief’ began their history here. Over the next years, they traveled to Vermont to play gigs through the winter. Twin Silos and The Blue Tooth to name a few.

The Good Grief played at DeLesa’s which was a hot club in Hartford and there they gained a great following.

His next move took to him to Knox Trail Inn in East Otis in the late 70’s where he built Berkshire Recording Theater. He designed, trademarked, and built speakers that he sold in the hundreds there and have had bands comment they were the ‘best speakers they ever owned’.

His Creativity and passion for music brought him down to Ft. Lauderdale area. Opportunities abounded and his sound and recording business took him to Brazil, Jamaica, And Hungary to name a few destinations that he went to.

While he was running his studio in the 70’s he provided the sound every fall for the BIG Eastern States Exposition at the bandshell.

Somewhere in this span of time he provided the sound for the Ski America Shows that traveled across the country as far as Lake Tahoe and all the way up to Vermont. Suzy Chapstick was part of the show. They performed acrobatics and stunts at each venue.

He lived on a houseboat, had parakeets, a dog named Freebee and had carved out a niche in his professional recording career. BRT Recording recorded infomercials, bands, solo artists and the psychic network ad’s.  He recorded Natalie Cole in the Berkshires.

He worked tirelessly and dreamed big, designing and building each studio better than the last.

In 1994 he married and had a beautiful daughter Norma Viola in 1995. He spent time and money to bring 3 step children from Costa Rica to their home in Florida. A house in Boyton Beach is where they shared many memories.

After a number of years he had the opportunity to move to Las Vegas for another ambitious project. He created a show that would have aired on major television venues. It was called

‘Living Additions’. He was ahead of his time with this concept as there are many such shows on TV now.

After leaving Las Vegas he came back to his New England roots.  Now he had time to get back to his music he dearly loved. He began rehearsing and jamming in the garage while living with his sister.  Many forms of bands configured from these efforts.

He met wonderful talented musicians who all brought something unique to the table. One band was Boneyard Buddies, while another was Tongue and Groove Band.  The Tongue and Groove band had great success and played all over Connecticut, Long Island and was hired to play at Foxwoods. It was a busy time for sure.

He had a passion for cars and detailed each one perfectly. His ‘55’ T-bird was a favorite along with his Avanti Studebaker, He had a long list of cars he owned and he always lamented “ I should have kept that one it would have been worth a lot of money now”

Besides writing music (and he has shared many of his songs on Utube}, he rekindled his passion for his trains that he loved since he was a kid. He never had time when he was in Florida and Las Vegas so he finally was able to put a huge set up together that we marvel at every day.

A collection of model cars was another hobby he continued to grow.

Living his life to the fullest he reunited with a love Donna Caruso from high school and lived his remaining life in Wethersfield.  He built a rehearsal/ recording studio, Learned to fly drones and enjoying eating out and having fun. He continued writing music in his spare time. They had a special connection so that he enjoyed his life to the end. He said he had a good run and wanted to say goodbye to everyone.

He leaves his daughter, Norma Viola Titcomb of Lake Worth, Florida, His three step children, Alex, Natasha and Fernanda. His girlfriend Donna Caruso of Wethersfield, His only sibling Kay Bagwell and partner Skip Helmolt of Killingworth, His Niece and Nephew Wendy Ginnetti and Greg Ginnetti as well as many family and friends.

A memorial is planned at the Brooklawn Funeral Home, 511 Brook St. Rocky Hill  on November 15, 2025 from 2-4p.m.  In Lieu of flowers donations in his name to the Diabetes Association would be very much appreciated.