Norman H. Stanford

1927 - 2021

Norman H. Stanford

Sun City West, AZ — Norman H. Stanford, age 93, passed away at his home in Arizona on January 23, 2021. He was born in Rowe MA on October 24, 1927, the son of J. Henry and Lila M. (Woffenden) Stanford. At an early age his family moved to Charlemont where he attended Charlemont schools. In 1945, during his junior year, he left high school to enter the Army. For the next three years he served as a member of the Army of Occupation in Germany. After returning home he spent two years in Chicago where he graduated from Coyne Television Repair School and attended Dodd-Harris Schools where he completed his high school education by passing the entrance exams to the University of Illinois. During this time he met his future wife, Jean Dunlop, who resided in Oak Park, IL. In 1951 he reentered the military during the Korean War stationed at Colorado Springs CO. There he spent two years training replacement troops for combat in Korea. While there he and Jean were married and made their first home in Colorado Springs.

Following his discharge in 1953 they spent the next seven years in Richmond, Indiana where he managed an electronics wholesale firm and where three of their four children were born. While in Richmond he joined the Indiana National Guard unit stationed in that city. After five years he was commissioned and assumed command of the infantry company. In 1960 he accepted a sales position with a prominent electronics manufacturer which required the family to relocate to New England. His employment caused him to travel extensively. He was responsible for sales throughout New England and Eastern Canada. He was with Channel Master for twenty-seven years during which time they lived in Concord NH, Vernon CT, Rowe MA, and Golden CO. During their seven years in Rowe he was active in town affairs. He spent two years as President of the Rowe Historical Society, one term on the Rowe School Committee, and was Chairman of the 1976 National Bicentennial Committee. The committee accomplished many things—the most important being the salvaging and relocating of the Browning Bench Tool Factory on Pond Road, which is now leased to the Rowe Historical Society.

In 1980 Channel Master promoted him to Regional Sales Manager with a move to Denver CO where they spent the next ten years. He was responsible for sales in seven Western states. After retirement they made their home in Ajo and Sun City West AZ. He was a member of the Masons, 32nd Degree, the Military Officers Association of America, the Elks, and the American Legion.

He is survived by daughters Carol White and husband Thomas of Mesa AZ, Kerri Solomon of Danbury NH, son Ronald and wife Tammy of Rowe MA, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. -He was pre-deceased by his wife Jean of 63 years, a daughter Kathryn Toof of Wilmington VT and three sisters Lois Stanford of Rowe MA, Janice Delmolino of Cheshire MA and Esther Davis of Roanoke VA. Interment will be in the East Cemetery, Rowe MA, on September 11, 2021 at 1:00pm. Donations in Norman's memory may be made to the Rowe Historical Society, PO Box 462, Rowe MA 01367