Norman P. DeTullio

Norman Philip DeTullio, 82, of Trumbull CT, died peacefully on July 26, 2024. Born in Derby, CT on August 15, 1941, Norm was the son of the late Joseph DeTullio and Nancy (Teodosio) DeTullio. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, St. Edward's University in Austin, TX and MA at Southern CT State University. Norman met the love of his life, Barbara (Rolly) DeTullio in 1958, and married her in 1963. They spent the next 61 years in full-on marital bliss. He enjoyed grading her meals (often an A+!) and driving her crazy whenever possible. Norman was a multiple-sneezer, sometimes reaching as many as 20 sneezes in a row. This would drive Barbara right out of her mind.

Norman and Barbara raised five children; Lisa DeTullio Russell (and her husband Brian Russell) Dana DeTullio, N. Joseph DeTullio, Gina Festini (and her husband Frank Festini) and Andrea Smith (and her husband Michael Smith). Norman has eleven grandchildren; Carly Russell (and husband Ryan Dillon,) Sam Russell, Jacob Russell, Luke Bauro, Amelia Bauro, Gabriel Bauro, Sophia Festini, Charlotte Festini, Ruby Smith, Benjamin Smith, and Penny Smith. Norm loved them all, and would always tell each of them they were his favorite.

Norm taught Literature, Creative Writing, and Driver's Ed at St. Joseph High School for 32 years, serving as Chairman of the English Department for ten of those years.
 He wrote the lyrics to the Alma Mater and was the moderator for the yearbook for almost 20 years. He was also the Alumni Director for many years. Working with teenagers was a job for which he was uniquely gifted, and he touched literally thousands of young minds. He is among the most favorite teachers to ever walk the halls of St. Joe's. 
Less rules existed in the bygone days of Norm's Driver's Ed instruction. He would often have students make quick stops so he could complete errands, like picking up milk at the Parker’s Dairy milk machine, stopping for the newspaper (which he may or may not have read while students practiced their driving) and attending wakes of the recently departed. One student struggled with the difference between the gas and the brake, and landed them flush against the gym wall of the school. Norm remarked to Barbara when he got home, “Tough day in driver's ed,” pointing to the banged up car in the driveway.

Norm wrote five novels, and numerous collections of poems and essays. Publication eluded him, but this did not diminish his enthusiasm for the written word. He did have some success with his essays being published in the New York Times and various periodicals.
 He had a particular flare for eulogies, and was often called on to memorialize fallen friends and family. If you died and Norm eulogized you, you were certain to be remembered with love and humor.

Norm loved to make others laugh, but mostly he liked to make himself laugh. It is fair to say he was his own biggest fan. Some of his favorite pranks included the rotten crooked teeth gag, the fake hand, the clown head, or donning a Big Bird Costume and running around  the grounds of St. Joe's. In response, Barbara could often be heard remarking, “Once an idiot, always an idiot.” She was often amused, often annoyed, but always his steadfast comedic partner- the dead-pan straight man to his dancing monkey. He was a lover of dogs, from his childhood boxer Roddy, to his dachshund Pepperoni, who survives him. Norm would make his grandchildren laugh and howl by letting the late Snicky (another dachshund) drink milk out of his mouth.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Helene Morf.

Friends and family may pay their respects on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. at the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Trumbull, CT

A Mass of Remembrance will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph High School, 2320 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS AND TREES PLEASE DONATE TO NORMS SCHOLARSHIP AT SJHS. NORM AND HIS FAMILY WOULD LIKE HIS LEGACY TO CONTINUE AT St. Joes  sjcadets.org/norm CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO St. Joseph High School Advancement Office 2320 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611