In Memory of Richard J. Norsworthy (1932 – 2018)
The Rev. Richard Jasper Norsworthy died on September 10, 2018 at the age of 86.
Richard was born on July 31, 1932 in Caribou, ME to Jasper Ellsworth Norsworthy and Marion Rose (Bowden) Norsworthy. He graduated from Tufts University, MA in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Richard also earned two degrees from the Bangor Theological Seminary, ME: a Bachelor of Divinity in 1962, and a Master of Divinity in 1971.
Rev. Norsworthy was ordained on June 10, 1962 by the Third Universalist Church in North Weymouth, MA, where he carried out his ministry until 1966. In that year, he was called to serve the Unitarian Universalist of Clearwater, FL where he ministered for another six years. Rev. Norsworthy then served the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, Canada from 1972 to 1976, and from 1977 to 1984, he served the First Universalist Church, Woonsocket, RI. Rev. Norsworthy retired from active ministry in 1985; in 2013, the Unitarian Universalist of Clearwater, FL honored Rev. Norsworthy as their Emeritus Minister.
Rev. Norsworthy carried out a great deal of service on behalf of the denomination. He served the Universalist Ministers Association, MA as a Secretary and Treasurer. He was advisor for the Bay Shore Federation of LRY, and Ministerial advisor for the Central West Coast Florida Sub-District, UUA. He served the Ballou-Channing District, the Florida District, and as a member of the UUA’s Board of Trustees. Likewise, Rev. Norsworthy functioned as an active member for the following committees: Youth Activities Committee, Ballou-Channing District, UUA; New England Interdistrict Youth Activities Committee; and the New England Inter district Religious Education Committee. He was also President for the Universalist Church School Union, and the Southern Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association.
Prior to entering into the ministry, Richard served in the United States Air Force (1950-1954); USAF Reserve (1954-1958); and the US Army Reserve (1958-1960). His community service included being a charter member of The Ministers Association of Dexter, Maine; organizer and Board Member of the Clearwater Neighbors, Inc. NAACP; institutional representative for the Boy Scouts of America; and member of Board of Directors, Human Relations Council, Pinellas County, FL. Richard was also a Civil Rights activist. He was in Selma, AL the morning after Bloody Sunday along with the other clergy. That incident had a great effect on him. He wrote an account of that time, which is now in the Harvard Library. In his spare time Richard enjoyed in fishing, boating, flying, hunting, camping, golfing, winter sports, carpentry and wood working.
Richard is survived by his wife Janice Norsworthy; and his sons, Dane and Scott. He was predeceased by his first wife, Glenna, in 2007 and his eldest son, Richard, in 2011.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Society for Ministerial Relief, c/o The Rev. Dr. Susan Suchocki Brown, 42 Country Lane, Leominster, MA 01453.
A Memorial Service will not be held.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Janice Kazlauskas at jkzlsks@gmail.com or at 12 Strout Ln, Dexter, ME 04930.