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Obituary: Dick Noel, Founder of NEMRA and Equity Passes On

Nov. 20, 2015
Richard “Dick” Noel, 90, of Orlando, Fla., founder of the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), the Equity Electrical Associates buying/marketing group, and several other companies, passed away on Nov. 11.
Richard “Dick” Noel, 90, of Orlando, Fla., founder of the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), the Equity Electrical Associates buying/marketing group, and several other companies, passed away on Nov. 11.

One of the savviest entrepreneurs the market has ever seen, Noel also founded the rep firm of R.W. Noel & Co. in New York and New Jersey; Electrical Management Personnel Inc.; and Phoenix Engineering & Supply, Inc., a distributor with markets covering the Middle East and Europe. He was also a salesperson and executive with Burndy, Efcor and Gedney Electric; chairman of the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Trade and Economic Council; subject of a cover story in Isvestia, a major Soviet newspaper for his efforts in U.S.-U.S.S.R. global trade; a frequent contributor to Electrical Wholesaling for more than 50 years; and a producer, writer, singer and actor for the annual musical follies that were a big part of the NAED convention scene in the 1950s and 1960s.

His industry friends knew him for his multiple roles as entrepreneur, matchmaker, creative genius and mischievous firebrand, and Tom Preston, his good friend and business associate once wrote about him, “The word ‘panache’ was invented for people like Noel. He has taken on so many challenges in his business lifetime, been in so many places, done so many things with and for so many people for so long a time, with so much distinction, it boggles the mind.”

Noel served proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was predeceased by his parents, and wife, Beverly, He is survived by his children, Gary Noel, and Suzanne Rossilli and her husband, Alan; his sister, Virginia McGovern, and many nieces and nephews. Donations may be made in his memory to Catholic Charities, USA, catholiccharitiesusa.org.