College Carpentry Shop Dedicated in Honor of Norm Green

At the final gathering of faculty and staff for the academic year on Thursday, May 11, Master Carpenter Norm Green was awarded the Judith Pond Condict ’62 Award for Excellence in Service. The award is presented annually to an outstanding staff member who has contributed to the college in extraordinary ways, and everyone in attendance agreed that Green, in his 25th year at the college, was the perfect recipient.

“On that Friday, I don’t think Norm’s feet even touched the ground,” said Green’s supervisor Dom Gioioso, Jr., director of facilities management, of Green’s response to receiving the award. “Just proud as a peacock.”

Then, tragically, just two days after the ceremony, Green died unexpectedly at the age of 65.

Though those close to him found comfort in the recognition and appreciation Green experienced in the days preceding his death, many within the campus community — especially those in Facilities Management — were eager to create a permanent tribute to their former coworker’s service.

Their efforts came to fruition on Friday, Dec. 8, when the carpentry shop in the Facilities Management building, located on Main Street across from the town green, was dedicated in Green’s honor.

“Norm was an integral part of the Colby-Sawyer family, well known for his kindness and commitment to excellence,” Vice President for Finance and Administration Karen Bonewald said. “We're truly pleased to be able to honor his contribution to the college community in this way.”

A native of the area, Green was hired by the college in 1997 and quickly made a lasting impression on students and colleagues. His passion for woodworking is especially beneficial to those on campus during warmer months, when seats at the more than 20 picnic tables handcrafted by Green are rarely vacant.

“People requested Norm [for projects] because they knew the job would be done efficiently and effectively,” Facilities Management Budget and Office Manager Liz Labelle said. “He gave it his all.”

“Norm was an exceptional worker,” said Gioioso, who added that the carpentry shop had recently been upgraded with new equipment that Green helped select. “A little bit of Colby-Sawyer blue ran through his veins.”

During the dedication event, Gioioso delivered brief remarks in front of Green’s portrait, accompanied by a plaque commemorating his years of service to the college, hung on the carpentry shop wall prior to the event.

More than 30 people attended the dedication, including Green’s wife, Lonna, daughters, Shannon Carnevale and Estelle Howe, son, Glenn Lowe, and grandson, Caleb Howe. Lowe also works for Colby-Sawyer’s facilities department in the role of trades supervisor.