Norton Cooper Wheeler Jr. died on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in Mystic.
He was born on December 10, 1921 to Norton Cooper Wheeler Sr. and Marion Wilcox Wheeler in Mystic, CT.
Norton Wheeler was a graduate of Philips Andover Academy and Brown University. During World War II he served with the 415th Night Fighter Squadron in the United States Air Force and later in the Korean War at Selfridge Field. He was employed by the Davis-Standard Machinery Company for 60 years, from 1951 until his retirement in 1989, remaining engaged as a consultant until the age of 90. In recognition and honor of his industry-wide contributions to significant advances in extrusion technology, he was awarded Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers in 1985 and received the Bruce C. Maddock Award in 1998 for his pioneering work in Research and Development. He was a member of the Mason’s Island Yacht Club, the Mystic Congregational Church, the Groton Representative Town Meeting (RTM), a trustee of the Mystic & Noank Library, and a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
In his 20’s Norton Wheeler was a counselor at the New England Music Camp where he met fellow counselor and his future wife Mary Ann Anderson with whom he shared a lifelong love of music. He played both clarinet and sax in various jazz bands and they were both proud members of the Mud Clam Five.
Norton Wheeler was predeceased by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Anderson Wheeler, and is survived by their children, Anne Wheeler Konczakowski, John Anderson Wheeler, Mary Elizabeth Wheeler, Barbara Norton Wheeler and her husband Clayton Westland, and Norton Cooper Wheeler III and his wife, Sandra Knapp Wheeler. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Eliza, Mary, Rachel, Amanda, Mason and Jackson; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
At his request, the burial service will be private. A Celebration of Life for Norton and Mary Ann (Andy) Wheeler will be held at the Mason’s Island Yacht Club from 2–4 PM on Saturday, October 13. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library Street, Mystic, CT 06355.
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