Richard B. Norcross

AUBURN – Richard Bruce Norcross was born on Dec. 9, 1941, in Winthrop, to parents Donald and Constance Tarr Norcross. The family settled in Auburn, where Dick grew up with his older sister Barbara and younger brother Bob. Dick attended local schools excelling in basketball and baseball. His early basketball was played at the YMCA; in fact, he still has his orange and black shirt from his team ‘DUNLAPS.’ Throughout high school he was President of the ELHS Class of 1960. In 1958 and 1959 Dick won the local high schools foul shooting contest while in baseball he excelled as a pitcher. His 1960 baseball team was unbeaten and won its 7th AVL crown. He still has his team jacket. His summer job was at the Dairy Joy on Court Street. After graduation he attended Maine Vocational Technical Institute (SMCC) for an associate degree in construction. There he played basketball (leading the team as high scorer in 1961/1962 with 357 points in 15 games). He also pitched for the baseball team. Upon graduation he joined the Air Force National Guard in So. Portland and headed to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for 6 months. Upon return, he went to work for the Maine Department of Transportation in Augusta.

On Aug. 24, 1963, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Wilkinson. They raised three children: Betsy Norcross Plourde (Rene), Craig Norcross (Kristi) and Wendy Norcross Brown (Dan). During those years Dick played basketball for Cole Farms Restaurant in the Portland men’s league and later for Clover Manor in the Auburn Rec men’s league. He enjoyed coaching in the YMCA youth basketball program for many years. Summers found him pitching for the Central Wayside Furniture softball team and coaching at Auburn Suburban Little League with Jack Linnell. Together they coached Reed Paper in minors, Food Town in majors and Quinco in seniors; they also coached several all-star teams. Dick teamed up with his brother, Bob to play doubles tennis and were rec league winners many times. He enjoyed hunting at Uncle Carl’s Stratton Camp each fall. Dick purchased the Camp when Uncle Carl decided to sell. A poker group that played bi-weekly was another joy for years.

He enjoyed many adventures in life including climbing Mt. Katahdin, canoeing the Allagash, white water rafting, moose hunting, a caribou hunting trip in Canada, and snowmobiling with friends and family. In addition, Dick and MaryAnn traveled extensively with many trips to Florida for Red Sox spring training games, an Alaskan cruise, two 5000-mile trips one thru the southwest and another thru the northwest, a trip to Hawaii, and several trips to Las Vegas.

Dick was always involved in his children’s activities and continued to do the same with his seven grandchildren: Kory Norcross Faletra (Chuck), Makayla Norcross Thomas (Josh), Piper Norcross; Jarod Norcross Plourde; Ethan Brown, Austin Brown, and Oliver Brown. More recently he has become a great grandfather to Lilah and Josie Faletra. Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and coach to many —- he will be missed.

In the last three years Brenda Davis was a devoted caregiver to Dick who had lived with Parkinson’s for more than 20 years.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering that will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024 from 3-7 p.m., at The Fortin & Pinette Group 217 Turner Street in Auburn 783-8545. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com .

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Dick’s memory to the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA (62 Turner Street, Auburn, ME 04210).