Donald Edmund Norkawich, 78, of Glastonbury, passed away from complications of the Coronavirus on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital. He was the widower of Elaine Ann (Kaufman) Norkawich.
Born on October 29, 1942 in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of the late Edmund Vincent and Mary Veronica (Domblosky) Norkawich. Donald worked for 45 years in the paint and hardware industry. He was with with H.C. Lovell Hardware in Stratford, CT for 22 years and moved onto become a manager at the north-end Paint Products store in Bridgeport, CT. He always went above and beyond for his customers. He had an amazing eye for color and there was not anything he could not match or anything he would not do to help someone. He loved lighthouses and surrounded himself with everything lighthouses. They held special meaning to Donald because they represent our journey on earth and are a beacon of light to find the way home, “For thou art my lamp, O’Lord: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29) He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Elaine of 39 years. They spent many days walking hand in hand on the beach at Seaside Park in Bridgeport or by the seawall at Marnick’s in Lorship. The love that Donald and Elaine had for one another was remarkable. They did everything together, enduring hardships and celebrations alike. At last, they have been reunited. Donald was a wonderful friend and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He had an amazing sense of humor and an uncanny knack to make others laugh. He made a friend wherever he went and whether it was in Bridgeport or Glastonbury, he made a lasting impression on everybody. His wife Elaine would always say that Don would be remembered even if they only met him once. She was right. He will be missed dearly be all.
Donald is survived by a son, James Norkawich and his fiancé Daria Biancardi of Glastonbury; a daughter, Deanna Karaffa and her husband Keith of Shelton and two grandsons, Matthew and Ryan. Matt and Ryan love their “Pop Pop”, as he loved them with all his heart. Besides his wife Elaine, he was the youngest of 5 siblings and predeceased by all - his brother Edward Norkawich, and three sisters Isabel Johnson, Teresa Norkawich, and Marie Sasso.
Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Glastonbury Funeral Home, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, CT 06118.
To leave online condolences for the family, please visit the obituary page at www.glastonburyfuneralhome.com
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