Alwin B. Tripp

Al was born to Marjorie (Smith) and Benjamin Tripp in Chenango Bridge, NY on December 19th 1930.

Al was a proud veteran of the United States Army serving from May 11, 1948 to April 11, 1952. During his service in Korea he was awarded the purple heart for injuries sustained in battle. He was honorably discharged in April of 1952. Al’s experience in the Army stayed with him the remainder of his life. He was an avid reader of historical books concerning the Korean conflict, WWII or anything military related.

After his return from Korea he married Loretta Menard on January 25, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Church in Oxford, NY. Al and Loretta were completely dedicated to each other and remained married for 58 years until her passing in February of 2011. Together they had 8 children, Sharon (John) Provo, Teresa (Robert) Collins, John (Cindy) Tripp, Donna (Phil) Ham, all of Norwich, NY, Kathleen (Hayne) Smith, of McGraw, Sandra (Mark) Nigolian of Burlington, VT, and Jennifer Tripp of Chattanooga, TN. Surviving Al are his grandchildren and their spouses: Brianne and Mike Fracassi, Joseph and Laura Provo, Kelly and Nick Colosi, Sam Distefano, Vincent Distefano, Adrien and Nana Smith, Greta Smith, Anna, Sophie and Grace Nigolian, and Ellie and Ethan Bixler; and 10 great grand-children. He is also survived by his brother Mark (Jolene) Doliver and John (Isabelle) Tripp of Norwich.

He was predeceased by his son James Joseph Tripp in 1967 and his granddaughter Emily Collins in 2000 as well as his brother James Doliver, David Doliver and sister Judy Streichert.

Al was a selfless and reliable provider for his family. Starting upon his return from Korea at Scintilla Company as a machinist, and working in the aerospace industry at Bendix and Simmons Precision, ending his career of 45 years at BF Goodrich.

Al was a self-taught carpenter, electrician, plumber, barber and teacher of how to do all things correctly - square, level and clean without compromise. He was always helping to build, repair, and care for anything a family member needed.

Al is remembered as a straight-forward and honest person, and for his incredibly sharp and dry wit delivering perfectly timed “Al-isims” at all the right moments. Al had an outstanding sense of direction and there were never travels without well written directions and clearly detailed maps. Although typically stoic in demeanor, Al had an incredibly warm and loving way with babies in the family.

Al was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, the VFW and the American Legion.

We would like to thank Kim Gray for her compassionate and loving daily care for the past two years and Patti Rutondo for her support.

We are thankful for the love, compassion and wit that he shared with us - he has left an impact on all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 26, at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 81 E. Main St. Norwich with Fr. Daniel Caughey officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alwin’s memory may be made to Norwich High School, c/o R.E.K. Scholarship Fund, 89 Midland Dr. Norwich, NY 13815.