CHELMSFORD – Richard R. Norris, 83, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Palm Center Nursing Home surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of the late Charlotte Ruth (Spear) Norris whom he adored and lovingly cared for until her passing in 2014.

He was born in Beverly on October 27, 1932 and was a son of the late Alice (Andrews) and Charles Grabowski and brother of the late John ”Jack” McLean of Peabody.

Richard was often seen pushing his wife Ruth in her wheelchair throughout the Chelmsford center area. When Ruth became a resident at Palm Center in Chelmsford, he quickly became a much-loved visitor to the staff and was greatly admired for his devotion and daily visits with Ruth. Richard was often heard speaking highly of Ruth’s nurse and eventually his nurse, Maria whom he cherished. Richard was also a beloved customer at CVS in the Center of Chelmsford. Many of the employees enjoyed his lighthearted banter with them on an almost daily basis.

Richard was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy having served on the USS Salerno Bay and the USS Wright during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as an airline mechanic foreman for Eastern Airlines for many years. Richard had a passion for woodworking and was a skilled craftsman. He loved to read and to take cross country drives with Ruth and cherished the many day drives with his family throughout New England in the old Chevy wagon.

Richard is survived by his five children; Steven Norris and his wife Lucy of Medford, David Norris and his wife Lisa of Chelmsford, James Norris and his wife Patricia of Pepperell, Debra Blais and her husband Richard of Tucson, AZ, and Linda Ternullo and her fiancé Andy Mancuso of Chelmsford; seven grandchildren; John Blais of Tucson, AZ, Brian Norris of Chelmsford, Samantha Norris of Woburn, Alexandra Norris of Pepperell, Andrew Norris of Pepperell, Alyssa Ternullo of Chelmsford, and Stephen Ternullo Jr. of Stoneham. He also leaves a sister-in-law, H. Elaine Spear of Phoenix, AZ and three nieces.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 6th from 4 to 8 pm at the BLAKE FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen St., CHELMSFORD. Interment will be private. For those who desire, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Assoc., P. O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241, americanheart.org.