Normand Rioux Jr.

Rioux- Normand Rioux Jr. of Norwich died April 17, 2013 at his home after a courageous 5 year battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Bernice (Fanizzi) Rioux. He was born in Montville, son of the late Normand and Victoria (Pachiodo) Rioux Sr. Normand was a member of Norwich Free Academy’s class of 1956 and had a career with the Teamster Union 495 that spanned two decades. He then assumed the family business and was the proprietor of Vic’s Restaurant in Montville from 1980 until 2005. Normand had a passion for competitive sports, particularly horseshoe pitching for over 50 years. He was the Connecticut State Champion 33 times, New England States Champion 8 times, and held titles too numerous to mention throughout the United States. The New London County Horseshoe League dedicated their facility and renamed it the Norm Rioux Horseshoe Complex in 2008. He was a lifetime member of the Montville Fire Department, Montville Polish American Citizens Club, Bozrah Moose Lodge, Thamesville Athletic Club Hall of Fame, and an avid Yankees fan. He will be sadly missed by his wife Bernice of 55 years, son Normand C. Rioux and his spouse Todd Barry of Bozrah, daughters Laurene Kaika of New London, Nadene Kumpf and her husband Clifford of Uncasville, Carol Spencer of Bristol NH., and Lisa Flanders and her husband Kenneth of Salem. He also leaves a sister Dorene Hewitt and her husband Everett of North Port FL ., as well as 7 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Visitation will be Sunday April 21, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen 53 Norwich New London Turnpike Montville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday April 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Church Uncasville. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of SE Connecticut 227 Dunham St Norwich, CT 06360. Please visit www.monvillefuneralhome.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.