Norman Thomas Wren

Norman Wren, age 88, of Greensboro, NC, passed away on May 3rd surrounded by family at the Beacon Place Hospice Care Center. Originally from Massillon, Ohio, he earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University, and a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University. He taught both the 4th and 6th grades before becoming the principal of Roxbury Elementary school in Solon, Ohio where he joyously served for over twenty years until his retirement in the early 1990’s. Students and faculty have fond memories of a kind and loving principal who loved to greet the buses in the mornings and dress up for holidays. In Greensboro, he continued his devotion to education by teaching English as a second language to seniors, escorting bus tours, and attending many Elderhostel programs around the country. The son of candy makers, he was known by many as “The Candy Man” as he graciously gifted a box of his homemade chocolates to doctors, nurses, dental assistants, and his fellow residents at Abbotswood. They all looked forward to his warm smile and sweet box of chocolates. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean, his son Jim and daughter-in-law Ann, cousin Kay Arthur of Pittsburgh, PA, nieces Candy (Gary) Viens and Cora-Lee (Mark) Smith of Massillon, OH, and the lights of his life- grandchildren Jeremy Wren, Lily Wren Blocker and her husband Buck, and his great-grandson Noah Wren. Norman was preceded in death by his parents Stephen and Cora Wren, and his sister Frances Layton. At his request there will be no service because “he doesn’t want to make a fuss”, so in lieu of any flowers the family would suggest a small donation to an organization he supported throughout his life, the St. Joseph’s Indian School (stjo.org).