Obituaries
Richard Fuller, Educator and Community Leader, 67
Remembered as 'awesome,' 'powerful force' in Norwalk's education community
Richard Fuller, Norwalk educator and the face of the George Washington Carver Community Center for 25 years, died on Sunday at Norwalk Hospital. He was 67.
Tributes poured in, from the Mayor's office to students he taught and mentored, as Norwalk mourned the loss of a popular community leader.
"It is not an exaggeration to say that he was a powerful force in the education community," Mayor Richard A. Moccia said in a written statement. "His love of our young people had no boundaries."
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"Mr. Fuller was like a father to me as well as many others in the community who attended Carver Center programs," said Debbie Ross Williams.
"He loved everyone, never judged, just supported," she said.
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"He used a lot of one-liners like 'don't be a fool, stay in school,' or 'don't be a whack, stay away from crack,'" she remembered.
"He was awesome!"
Fuller began teaching civics at Brien McMahon High School in 1970 and, while coaching freshman baseball and football, also served as guidance counselor.
He went on to serve on the Board of Education for 22 years, while directing the Carver Community Center.
Last year, friends, family and colelagues honored Fuller with a "Lifetime Humanitarian Award."
"He influenced thousands of students to make the right choices and helped launch many successful careers," said Mayor Moccia.
"As a friend, I offer my personal sympathies to his wife Carolyn and the entire Fuller family and I also extend those same condolences on behalf of a grateful city."
