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This blog is designed to enable viewers to post their comments on various subjects related to The Torrington Company's demise as a separate corporate entity. We will try to answer the question "Why?" and hopefully provide guidance to other Companies who might find themselves in a similar situation. We will also try to be a vehicle for alumni to express their thoughts
About Me
- Norm M
- North Reading, Massachusetts, United States
- Now retired, I was employed by The Torrington Company / Ingersoll Rand from 1963 through 1987. Recently widowed, relocated from TX to MA
10 comments:
Scott of sbin
Sat, Jan 26, 7:59 AM (8 days ago) to NDMassicotte
Hi Norm,
I used to work in the Bearing Test Lab in South Bend, IN during the 1970's until they closed their doors around 1978. It was my very first full time job, and have many fond memories. I have been searching for Timken OK Load Tester (lube tester), similar to what we used in the lab, and happened to run across your very nice blog. I just thought I'd say hello from one ex employee to another. Scot Helms South Bend, IN
_______________________________________________________
On Jan 26, 2019 at 5:22 PM NDM wrote:
Hi Scott
Good to hear from you.
I am presently out of the country.
When I return I will get your Email
published on the Blog
Norm Massicotte
_____________________________________________________
From: Scott of sbin
Date: January 30, 2019 at 5:57:28 PM EST
To: NDM ndmass@aol.com Subject: Re: Torrington
Hi Norm,
I was thinking about my message to you, and realized my years were wrong. I began working at Torrington around 1977 until they sent us home around 1984.....just wanted to clarify my memory....... Scott Helms
______________________________________________________
Re: Torrington
From: ndmass
To: sghofsbin
Date: Sun, Feb 3, 2019 10:40 pm
Hi Scott
As we get older, we are entitled to some "wrong years".
Thanks for the correction
Norm Massicotte
Don Carlson via gmail.com
Mon, Apr 22, 2:26 PM
Hi Norm,
I now have a bit more information from Aki's son-in-law regarding his death. He was crossing the street in a very busy section of down-town Tokyo and was struck by a dump truck. He was taken to a hospital and passed away several hours later. The police are conducting an investigation that could go on for some time before any conclusion is reached .
Aki is survived by his widow, Yoshiko, and his granddaughter, Shiori. Yoshiko is considering selling their long time home in Takasaki and moving to Tokyo to be closer to family members.
I'll be glad to act as a conduit if you learn of anyone wanting to contact Aki's family.
Thanks Norm,
Don
_____________________________________________
Don Carlson via gmail.com
Sat, Mar 23, 4:20 PM
to me
Thanks, Norm. I appreciate your understanding and will keep you posted on developments.
Don
____________________________________________
On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 11:41 AM
Normand Massicotte wrote:
Hi Don
So sorry to hear of Akiyama san's passing and so tragic. I won't publish this
unless/until I hear from you
Norm
___________________________________________
On Sat, Mar 23, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Don Carlson wrote:
Hi Norm,
I've recently found out from a family member that my dear friend, Akiyama san, was struck and killed in a Tokyo traffic accident last month. Snookie, Debbie, Suzy and I are deeply saddened by his passing.
We understand from a couple of family members that his widow, Yoshiko, is really distraught. We are waiting to hear more from the family before reacting to avoid making a difficult situation worse for her. So, please do not send out a general communication yet but pass on this info if asked. I will certainly let you know what the situation is once we know ourselves.
Aki was a great friend to many in the Torrington organization and we want to show our respect to his widow in the best way possible.
Thanks for understanding,
Don
______
Don Carlson via gmail.com
12:59 PM Apr 23, 2019
to me
Thanks Norm,
Aki's son in law is the family's english speaking contact and he has a very demanding job so I'll keep it coordinated with him
Aki was a true and kind gentleman. Even if it was the first time he met you, he would treat you like an old friend. Truly sad news.
Good afternoon. I am looking for some direction on a research project that involved the Torrington Company back in 1925. They had purchased a property in Chicopee, Ma.
in 1916 and sold it in 1925. It was called "The Olmsted & Tuttle Co." They had bought the equity in that company on Dec.30, 1915, presumably to acquire needle blanks. The Torrington sold that company in April of 1925. My question is; in their ownership of that company for about nine years, did they make use of the property or have some other reason for holding it that long. I would like information on any part of this problem, plus if there are any photo's of the building, that would be fine. I realize this is a long-shot but hope you can perhaps steer me toward that goal. Thank you for your time. David Graci, stonebotle@aol.com
Hi Peter
The Email addresses you requested are listed below. I will put a copy of your correspondence on the Blog under "Recent Emails"
Best reagards,
Norm M
Bill O'Dea
odeaw@comcast.net
Dick Kelleher
DKelle2358@aol.com
Tom Hemenway
themenway@bellsouth.net
____________________________________________
to me Hi Norm,
Thank you very much for the kind words. I included my address in case anyone asks you. Feel free to share my address if anyone asks. Also, I would love to get in touch with Tom Hemenway, Bill O’Dea, and Dick Kelleher. If you have their email addresses, would you kindly send them to me? Thank you again and thank you for keeping the site alive. I often look at the site to see the people who passed away so I can keep connected with everyone.
From Peter Thrall
_________________________________________________________
to Peter Thrall
Hi Peter
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I worked with John quite a few years at The Torrington Company and I must say he was always a good friend and kind gentleman.
Please accept and pass on to your family my sincerest sympathies.
His Obituary has been posted to the Blog
http://thetorringtonco-alumni.blogspot.com/2019/01/2019-obituaries.html
Norm Massicotte
_____________________________________________________________
to NDMassicotte@gmail.com Aug 6, 2019
Hi Norm,
I wanted to let you know that my father passed away peacefully on July 15. I would request that you include his obituary on your blog as my father had many wonderful memories and friends from his years at The Torrington Company. I have included his obituary below. Thank you very much.
THRALL, JOHN
John Thrall, 90, of St Johns, FL, died Monday, (July 15, 2019) at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility in Jacksonville, Florida after a short illness. John formerly resided in Harwinton, CT for 87 years of his life, and while he enjoyed Florida, his heart was always close to his home in Harwinton, CT. John was born May 22, 1929, in Torrington, CT, son of the late Albert and Mae (Crowe) Thrall. John was one of seven children (Isabel Davis, Virginia Barber, Albert Thrall, Janet Maro, Beulah Gartner, Barbara Reis) who all stayed close over the years enjoying picnics on the holidays, playing cards on Sunday nights, and Christmas with family. After high school graduation, John was employed by The Torrington Company for 44 years, retiring in 1991 while also serving as Tax Collector for the Town of Harwinton from 1963 to 2009. He served our country in the US Army having been called to active duty during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. John was a member of the Harwinton Congregational Church for over 50 years and regularly attended service often sitting in the same spot each week with different members of his church family. John is predeceased by his wife, Jane (Weingart) Thrall, and all of his family members. John is survived by two sons, Jonathan S. Thrall of Torrington; Peter J. Thrall of St Johns, FL; daughter, Nancy J. Thrall of Torrington, and her husband, Lawrence Woodin, five grandchildren, Jonathan Jr., Derek, Mercedes, Mallory, Spencer, and a great-granddaughter, Allie. Burial in West Cemetery will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Harwinton Congregational Church Book of Remembrance.
Peter Thrall
102 Pine Blossom Trail
St Johns, FL 32259
Office: 904.623.5851
Mobile: 704.453.6198
Peter.Thrall@TIAABank.com
Robert Breckinridge 10/02/2019
Attachments
to me, Nixon, Kelleher, Beebe
Norm-
Here’s the latest picture of the S.C. annual luncheon get together held today in Beaufort S.C. We’re all still kicking although I understand the golf is not what it use to be.
Back Row- Left to Right
Don Beebe, Jim McCoy, Al Nixon,
Bob Breckinridge, Russ Emerson.
Front Row- Frank Johnson, Dick
Kelleher.
Thanks for all the news you send us.
Bob Breckinridge
Al- I assume you will send this to those attendees not on my email list.
____________________________________________
Normand Massicotte 10/02/2019
to Bob Bt
Thanks Bob
All looking good
despite gaining age but losing hair (except Kelleher)
Will get it published on the Blog
Norm M
11/28/2019
Ron Heyse ron2000us@gmail.com
to NDMassicotte@gmail.com
Good Morning,
My father, Eugene Heyse, worked at the Torrington plant in South Bend, Indiana for over 20 years, his badge number was 227. I was just a kid, but I remember his stories. He worked in the heat treat department from the late 60’s – 80’s. I have recently become his guardian and I’m trying to track down his pension check. Can you tell me what company administers the Torrington pensions? Thanks, Ron Heyse
Hi Ron,
Ingersoll Rand manages the funds
Correspondence should be sent to:
Ingersoll-Rand Company
PO Box 1600 800-A Beaty Street
Davidson, NC 28036
Attn:; Pension Dept
By phone they can be reached at 1-866-472-6793
Hope this is helpful,
Norm Massicotte
saggej
to:Normand Massicotte ndmassicotte@gmail.com date: Dec 6, 2019, 8:41 AM
Hello Norman,
Thank you for the reminder...but for me, living here in Germany, making these events is would be more than difficult for me. As such, I can only extend my best wishes for the holiday to all in attendance.
I'm in retirement for some 4+ years now, having finished off with Koyo in 2015...pretty much 40 years to the day, since my first day as a Sales Trainee at the Std. Plant.
For those that may be interested... my 2nd wife (Elga) have 2 children ages 24 & 22, both of them studying in Berlin. My interest us still with old classic cars, motorycles and cycling. And, as if that doesn't keep me busy enough, I just took on the volunteer position as president of our 2400 member athletic club here in our community of Gifhorn, where I have been a member for some 8 years.
Best wishes to you and all!
Jogi
Hello Don,
My name is Kamara and I want to first, thank you for posting about Akiyama-san or Aki as I lovingly called him. I’m devastated by this news.
Aki and Yoshiko were my “adoptive” parents in Japan while I lived in Annaka City (beside Takasaki) teaching English on the JET program.
In one of Aki’s last posts on this wonderful Alumni website, he spoke of my visit in 2018 (the Canadian family). Aki attended my wedding in Vancouver in November 2012 as well.
I would be so very grateful if you could put me in touch with Aki’s son in law. Or if you have Yoshiko’s contact info, I’d greatly appreciate that too (I speak and write Japanese).
My email is kamara [at] KamaraToffolo.com
Thank you so very much.
Kamara
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