[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 52 (Friday, March 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E285-E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF NORBERT ``BUD'' FAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to observe and mourn the 
passing of a talented businessman, veteran, husband, father, and a 
patriotic Nutmegger through and through--Norbert ``Bud'' Fay, of 
Groton, Connecticut. A pillar of southeastern CT, Bud passed away at 
the age of 94 at his residence on January 9, 2021.
  While Bud has moved on--we now cherish his life and the positive 
impact he had on the lives of others and his hometown of Groton. Born 
in 1927, Bud was civic minded early in life and was always willing to 
lend a hand to anyone in need. Bud's commitment to his

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community and country translated into his enlistment in the United 
States NAVY, serving with the greatest generation in World War II as a 
member of a Gun Crew on Merchant Tankers. During the war, Bud flew for 
two companies that rebuilt war surplus aircraft. His heroism and iron 
will during World War II will always be remembered by us here in 
eastern Connecticut and we cannot thank and appreciate Bud enough for 
his commitment and sacrifice to our nation.
  Upon his retirement from the military, Bud set his sights on doing 
business in eastern Connecticut--and the rest is history. With the same 
vigor and passion he used to serve his country--Bud quickly developed 
an entrepreneurial flare and started his first business, a car 
dealership in Waterford. A natural businessman--Bud develop a rapport 
with the local business community and even helped initiate the Groton 
Business Association which exists to this day. With his ever-expanding 
business acumen, Bud found his way into working for Davis Standard in 
Pawcatuck and joined the team that pioneered the early development of 
plastic product machinery. Bud hit the ground running as soon as he 
retired from the NAVY. As testament to his energy and hard work, he was 
once named National Association of Independent Businessmen's New 
England's Small Businessman of the Year. Later in life, Bud would go on 
to open a restaurant, laundromat, and other businesses which he 
operated on Route 12 in Groton for 22 years. His restaurant ``Pop and 
Mum's'' was a place where members of the NAVY could grab a bite to eat 
and have a warm conversation with Bud where he would regale of his 
experiences in the military and offer a friendly ear. Bud was always 
there for the local NAVY sailors when they needed him.
  But to his core, Bud was a fighter for his community. This was 
demonstrated in his fight to save the century old Naval Submarine Base 
New London, which the Pentagon under the Bush administration added to a 
list of bases recommended for permanent closure in 2005. A eastern 
Connecticut with no sub-base would have spelt economic disaster for so 
many in the Second District, not to mention the thousands of NAVY 
personnel who were stationed at the base and who's children made up a 
significant portion of the area's schools. Bud fought like hell to 
ensure that this would not happen and through his voice and the 
collective voice of all of eastern Connecticut--the base was taken off 
the list and flourishes to this day. Bud was never asked or obligated 
to do his part in saving the livelihoods of so many here in Connecticut 
but did so out of his own sheer will and we will never forget his 
commitment to save the base.
  Many in Groton and the surrounding also knew Bud as ``Pop'' because 
he was a beacon of wisdom and was someone who would always be there if 
you needed him. Bud was a humble man and was as down to earth as they 
came. He understood that life required positivity and he always said, 
``life's a learning experience--enjoy every minute.'' When Bud wasn't 
running his businesses or leading a community initiative--he enjoyed 
visiting folks at the Fairview retirement community, using his flying 
simulator, or reading.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues and this Chamber join me in 
expressing our deepest respect for Bud's life and that we send our 
deepest condolences to his Family. Bud was predeceased by his first 
wife Muriel Fay. He remarried Barbara Nelson who he leaves behind 
alongside two daughters, Sharlene Aspinwall and Daurene Graf, two 
stepdaughters Cheryl Elci and Laura Nelson, eight grandchildren and 10 
great grandchildren. Bud will forever remain a symbol of love and 
patriotism in southeastern Connecticut and we will use his life as an 
inspiration to do good for our community.

                          ____________________