— Michael David

Norwich Erling was born April 13, 1949, in Billings, Mont., and left this world too quickly on Sept. 23, 2023. Michael David Erling was a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, U.S. Navy veteran, and businessman.

He began his career in the U.S. Navy submarine service in 1967, serving on the Nuclear Research Submarine USS Tullibee (SSN-597) as communications supervisor. The U.S. Navy afforded Michael the opportunity to travel the world, but perhaps the greatest naval experience happened where he was initially stationed in Groton. As a young 20-yearold sailor in November 1969, Michael and a few of his friends went to a local disco close to the sub base — a place that Michele now describes as “a place with lots of flashing lights” — and had a chance encounter with a raven-haired, blued-eyed, Upper East Side of Manhattan-raised, 27-year-old Michele Roberta Troniar. And with that chance encounter more than 53 years ago, one of the greatest love stories of all time began. Given Michael’s young age at the time, state law required permission from Michael’s parents for Michael and Michele to get married. And with their approval finally won over, Michael and Michele were married on Feb. 28, 1970. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Michael, Michele and newborn daughter Lisa moved to a small farmhouse in Canterbury, where Michael began a long career at Pratt & Whitney. Following his tenure at Pratt & Whitney, in 1989, Michael became president of Carlton Precision Machine, supplying the Electric Boat and Newport News shipyards with parts to support the U.S. submarine fleet. From 1997 until retirement, Michael was vice president at Precision Machine and Gear in Worcester, Mass.

During his full-time work, and full-time fatherhood with the birth of their second daughter Christina in 1973, Michael found time to get his A.S. in manufacturing technologies from Manchester Community-Technical College; and a B.S. in industrial technologies and business management from Central Connecticut State University. Michael’s priority was taking care of his family above all else. The family never wanted for anything, even during the hard times. He enjoyed taking care of his grandson Brian Jr., spending time with his sisters, nieces and nephews, his cousins (who are well known in wedding circles as the “party table”) and spoiling the family dogs Corky, Dakota, Buddy and finally Nico and Oscar, all of whom were merely “big boned” and never, ever overfed table scraps. His only regret in life was no matter how much he yelled at the television, his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots never took his advice.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Michele; daughters, Lisa (Brian) and Christina (Michael); grandkids, Brian Jr. and Rylei; sisters, Dianne and Debbie; nieces, Tricia and Paula; nephew Adam; and many fun-loving cousins.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life from 5 to

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Church & Allen at 136 Sachem St., Norwich. Following the celebration, there will be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Church & Allen, followed by burial with military honors at Maplewood Cemetery, 184 Salem Turnpike, Norwich. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to K9s for Warriors.