Mitchell Oil Celebrates 60 Years Of Service

Norbert E. Mitchell, Sr, was fresh out of the army in 1945, when he returned home to Danbury and purchased a used oil truck. It was spruced up with a new coat of paint and a sign that read, “Just Finished Serving My Country, Now Ready to Serve Friends.” With a dream and a great deal of determination, Mr Mitchell embarked on a venture that would grow and prosper over the years.

Now the Norbert E. Mitchell Co., Inc is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. From one man serving his neighbors, the company has grown and provides a wide range of energy products and services to thousands of its neighbors throughout western Connecticut and southeastern New York.

In the early days, Mr Mitchell operated his fuel oil business solely in Danbury. Eventually, he opened an office and bulk plant in New Milford also. In the sixties, property at 7 Federal Road was purchased and developed into the company’s main plant. Over the years, adjoining lots were purchased to expand the facilities.

The Johnson Propane Company was merged into the operation in 1987. Mr Johnson and Mr Mitchell had been friends for years. Now the alliance brought more than 50 years of propane experience into the company and greatly expanded the customer base.

The Redding Oil company was acquired in 1989. This affiliation expanded operations appreciably in the Ridgefield/Redding area.

Today the Norbert E. Mitchell Co., Inc is a multifaceted enterprise providing the community with a variety of petroleum products and services at the wholesale and retail levels. In adjoining counties, it delivers home heating oils, propane, gasoline, and other motor fuels. It designs and installs state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems to maintain comfort for thousands of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems. As a branded distributor for Citgo and Sunoco, its clean and attractive gas stations care for the needs of the motoring public.

Norbert Mitchell died nine years ago but two more generations of the family continue the company tradition.

More than 60 years ago, one man with a truck envisioned a business devoted to serving the needs of the community. For three generations, the Mitchell family has been making that dream come true. Current vice president Don Mitchell says, “We are deeply grateful to the community for making this possible and promise that we will not forget our humble beginnings. We will always be ‘Ready to Serve You.’”