Norman T Richardson
March 27, 1943 ~ December 5, 2020
Resided in:
Scarborough, ME
Scarborough- Norman T. Richardson Jr., 77, of Ash Swamp Road died unexpectedly on Saturday, December 5, 2020 of natural causes at his home.
A full obituary will appear.
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Norm had a truly wonderful and unique way of motivating students. He was always sincere and caring in his approach with his band members and because of this the students cared about him deeply. A very talented and dedicated teacher. My heart goes out to his family, Renee and Tom. Chip Farnham Barefoot Bay, Florida
– Curvin Farnham
Thank you Mr. Richardson for playing a major role in my life. You taught me to love music and I’m excited to see my son grow to love it as much as you helped me to love it.
– Cameo Newton
Mr. Richardson was such an important person in my life and many others when he taught at Westbrook High School. I looked forward every summer to going back to band camp. He always had a funny quip to start off all our rehearsals. He was truly a great guy. Thank you for all that you taught us. God Bless Mr. Richardson. Keep making your beautiful music.
– Kelley Jack
Farewell, Norm. Thank you for nurturing the musical talents of so many of our community’s kids. As adults, they remember you warmly, as do many appreciative parents like me.
– Patty Morris
He took care of we troubled, enthusiastic, confused… Broke the rules that needed to be broken, while “enforcing” all the important life “rules” like collaboration, tolerance, thinking, and behaving as if you believe in yourself. I cite Mr. Richardson regularly when I say, “even if it’s not quite right, play it like you mean it” And I hear him daily, “You can and will be anything you put your mind to!”. I thought he was wrong when he told me “girls can’t play trumpet”, but it turned out he was just a man smart enough to offer me the dare I will miss this valued life mentor…
– Colleen Burnham
Sorry to hear of Mr Richardson’s passing. I hope the family is well. What a time in our world you have given us! So many life lessons and good mentorship. I know I learned to have rigor in my actions and challenge myself, because of you. I made it over the big bridge – all the way to Hawaii and Japan, and have reflected on those talks often. You made me broaden my little mind from Maine and it gave me so much more compassion and outlook on those I met who were different from me. Thank you. I hope you knew the impact you made on your students.
– Sherri (Chandler) Brown
I was a student at Westbrook High School from 1976 to 1980, and participated in music with Mr. Richardson, including marching band. Too many memories to cover in one post. He had a variety of unique terms and sayings. One of them was “duck-dragger”. At some point in his past he witnessed young people tying ducks to the back of cars with a rope, then running the car down the road to see how fast the Duck could run. He used the term “Duck-dragger” if you (or someone) did a particularly stupid thing, or were thinking about it. You did not want to be called a “Duck-stagger”. Thanks for everything Mr Richardson. One of the most influential teachers I ever had.
– David Gowen
To the family and friends of Norman, my deepest condolences. He, and music, saved me and I carry his life insights today.
– Dick Moran
Norm is one of the few teachers I ever truly wanted to impress. His stoic charm and guarded optimism were formative on my self confidence as a young jazz-band student. I still recite his rules for life, and music, as life presents opportunities for them. Thank you, Norm.
– Will Gianetta
Renee and Tom, I’m so sorry to hear about Norm…..I’ll always remember him as one of the truly good people I met during my career in music education. My sincere condolences, Ray Mathieu
– Ray Mathieu
Norm, It was quite a career. You put Cape and others on the map.. Renee, My thoughts are with you. Tom Lizotte
– Tom Lizotte
Very sorry to hear of Mr Richardson’s passing! His passion for music spread far past his conducting baton and our sheet music and right into our hearts! My favorite memory of Mr. Richardson is how he got a real kick out of how well we had learned a piece of music and he would give us a wink and a giggle before walking away from conducting to let the ensemble shine on our own. You could tell that he had such confidence in us and was so proud of our accomplishment! I remember sitting a little taller when he would walk away because we had to be at our best for him! Such a great example for us all as adults… Perform to your best always and keep your back up straight because you’ve got this! Thank you for that lesson, Mr. Richardson!
– Lesley Hurley
Norman Richardson you will be missed! You made a difference in so many music students at Westbrook High School. You are so loved! You earned your wings soar high. . My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
– Sandra wescott
RIP NORM
– GNN ROBINSONLE
Norm and Renee. My sincere condolences
– Glenn H. Robinson Esq.
I’m one of those students whose life would not be the some without the influence of Mr. Richardson. I’m saddened by the loss, and condolences to his family. Marc Macisso
– Marc Macisso
I am so saddened to learn of your death. Recently a few of us were reminiscing about you and all you had taught us… the many life lessons that expanded from our music days at WHS. I had hoped to see you in the near future to thank you myself. You taught us much more than how to play and sound… you taught us how to be responsible & dependable, how to work together, pride… oh so much pride and dedication. I will forever remember your odd sense of funny humor, the eye rolls, your kindness, your willingness to make a difference for so many kids. One could not realize your positive impact until later in life. It was a tough day to learn that our world had lost a one in a million brilliant educator. Thank you Mr Richardson. May you sore like an eagle. Fly high
– Ann Marie Branigan
So sorry to hear of your passing good sir. I’m glad we were able to connect again when you taught in Cape Elizabeth. You were so helpful to me in so many ways. You knew that music was my second favorite activity in school, and fully supported my participation in swimming. You even came to swim meets to watch band members compete. So many swimmers were in band. I guess it had to do with lung capacity. 😉 And our talks, one on one, in your office were always helpful. You were one of the few teachers who I related to during high school. Given the troubled soul I was, that speaks volumes about my trust in you. Thank you Mr. Richardson. You gave us all the gift of music, and so much more. Mike Blanchard
– Mike Blanchard
Thank you, Norman, for the profoundly positive impact you had on my life. Sincere condolences to Tom, Jennifer and Renee.
– Tom Dyhrberg
His wit and his musical ability.
Always! We had good repartee!
By sharing his musical experience and knowledge with his students.
His dry sense of humor and sarcasm.
Chaperoning the Cape HS Jazz Band to Berklee in Boston. Riding in a school bus was bad enough but the bus driver got lost in Boston! It took almost 4 hours to get to Berklee, then the band had to find the room, warm up, and perform. I knew one of the adjudicators Bobby Short who played trumpet in Buddy Rich’s Big Band. After the performance the whole band was standing talking to Norm, me and ine of the other dads. I asked Norm if I could go say hi to Professor Neil Olmstead who played piano in MY HS Jazz/Swing Band 1968-70! The students were all in shock that I knew someone famous! Norm laughed and said go ahead!
His dry sense of humor and his interaction with his students.
His joy of being with and teaching his students.
His love of teaching music to young musicians and making them great!
Sharing his musical experience and knowledge with his students. He was a gifted and talented band director. He inspired many young musicians to go on to careers in music either as a vocation or avocation.
His dry sense of humor. His wordly view and level of sarcasm at appropriate times.
As the Cape HS band director. My being a professional musician like Norm, we had much in common.
My condolences to Norm’s family and musical colleagues. As the parent of two of his students at Cape HS and as a professional drummer, we hit it off upon meeting. I chaperoned the first trip of the Jazz Band to Berklee College of Music to compete in the HS Jazz Band competition. My son Chris loved Norm and talked with and about him often. My condolences to all especially to Rene.