Rommell Cartwright

Rommell Cartwright of Norwalk, Connecticut, passed away at his home on May 31, 2023, surrounded by his devoted wife and family. Rommell Cartwright was born June 13, 1933, in St. Clair County, East St. Louis, Illinois, to the late Milton and Cora Cartwright.

In 1950, Rommell completed his studies at Lovejoy High School in Brooklyn, Illinois. He relocated to New York City, NYafter graduation.  On June 25, 1953, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and honorably discharged on May 17, 1955. Rommell was awarded an Occupation Medal (Germany),National Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal for his military service.

Rommell graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1958 and an M.B.A. in 1959. He held marketing and advertising positions at various corporations throughout his career. Most notably, he joined Pfizer Inc. in 1971 as Marketing Manager for the International Consumer Products Division. He held a General Manager position (1974 to 1976) at Pfizer’s Caribbean Consumer Products Division, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. He returned to Pfizer’s NYC headquarters in July 1976 to become Director of International Consumer Products Development.

Rommell was appointed to the President's Executive Interchange Program, in collaboration with Pfizer, for the program year 1977–1978.  In this role, he served as a Senior International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of East-West Trade in Washington, D.C.

He also held the position of Area Business Director, Africa/Middle East, Oral Care Division, and served as Vice President of Trade Marketing for Consumer Health Care at Pfizer in NYC until his retirement in 1994. After leaving Pfizer, Rommell marketed his own product, Repair Shaving Lotion.  In addition, he founded Project COPE (Count On Plenty Education), a 501(c)(3) educational institution for minority children, which he operated until its closure.

Rommell was a spirited world traveler, an astute businessman, and a dignified family man. He was a wonderful human being and a man of substance. Rommell will be lovingly remembered by Glendia Cartwright, Ed.D., his wife of 34 years; four children Hershall Fowler, M.B.A., of Norwalk, CT, Maxine Cartwright, M.D., of Weston, CT, Nadine (Paul) Lowe-Cartwright, M.D., of Shelton, CT, Parnes (Betsy) Cartwright of Miami Fl; a brother Rudolph (Dr. Ceretha) Cartwright, M.D., of San Diego, CA; three grandchildren Rommell Cartwright II, Veronica (Dr. Patrick) Hanley, Paul (Thea) Lowe, Jr.; nephew Jarell Lindsey, and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rommell was predeceased by Milton and Cora Cartwright, his parents; siblings Excel Cartwright, James Cartwright, Aubrey Cartwright, Mary Thuesdee, Lougenora Singly, Joseph Cartwright, Bessie Mae Smith, Milton Cartwright; and grandson Douglas Arthur Lowe.