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06/18/2013 10:00 AMNorman Earle Rutty Sr., 97, died on June 6. Born Jan. 10, 1916 in Deep River, Norm was a lifelong resident of the Valley Shore, leaving only to serve in World War II as a combat MP. It is fitting that he passed on D-Day, having landed on the Normandy beaches on D+3. He was married for 73 years to Mary Lou (Mamie) Piedade Rutty, who predeceased him by only one year. They resided in Old Saybrook for more than 65 years.
Norm worked at Pratt Read in Deep River as a youth. Following World War II he was trained as a butcher at First National Stores, ultimately becoming the interim manager of the Essex store. In the late 40s he owned and operated Norm?s Diner in Ivoryton and Norm?s Snackmobile at the Old Saybrook Town Beach. In 1954 Norm and Mamie opened their first grocery store (The Ideal Food Store) in Old Saybrook which he ran until their retirement.
Norman was a life member and past post commander of the American Legion Post in Old Saybrook, a life member of the Elks, and a past president of the Old Saybrook Lions club. Norman was predeceased by his wife Marie Lou Fiasca Piadade Rutty and his three sister Iva Olin of Deep River and Florence Elkins and Margret Swain, both of Old Saybrook. Norman is survived by his son Norman E Rutty Jr. (wife Deborah) of Centerbrook and his beloved grandchildren who spent many sunny summers at Grandpa?s cottage in Westbrook, Katherine Brashears (husband Charlie) of Seattle, Washington and Joshua Rutty (fiancé Jana) of St. Thomas USVI, and his great grandchildren Isabella and Maeve Brashears.
Family and friends may visit the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, on Tuesday, June 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. A brief ceremony will start at 7 p.m., with full military honors to follow. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com for tributes and condolences.