Joseph Norton

Joseph M. Norton NAPLES, Fla. - Joseph Michael Norton, 91, of Naples, Fla., died Nov. 15, 2008, after a valiant struggle with cancer. Born in Hightstown, N.J., on May 2, 1917, son of late Michael J. and Mabel VanCleve Sutphen Norton, Joseph attended schools in Hightstown and graduated from Rider University, Lawrenceville, N.J., with a BS in accounting/economics and also attended Rutgers University. He was a World War II four-year Army Air Force veteran. His business career included executive positions in Lenox China (N.J.), Homesote Co. (N.J.) and Manpower Inc. of Tidewater. He retired in 1981 as co-owner and executive vice president of Atlantic Nuclear Services in Norfolk. A longtime Rotarian, Joseph was past president of the Norfolk Rotary Club, and later in retirement, a member of other Rotary clubs in eastern North Carolina where he served as district governor in 1992-93 and as an officer of Rotary International. After his move to Florida in 1995, Joseph served on the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs from 1997-2000. In 2005, Joseph was made an honorary lifetime member of Rotary Club of Bonita Springs. Always a contributor to the community, Joseph was active in community and Rotary affairs on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in recent years was active with Shots for Tots in Bonita Springs. From 1999 through 2007, Joseph was active in Bentley Village, his resident community, with council activities, organizing the croquet tournament activities and a founder of their Bentley Rotarian Retread Club. Joseph was preceded in death by his brother, Frederick A. Norton who died in World War II and three sisters, Marie McCarthy, Elizabeth Phelan and Kathryn Derrico. He is survived by his wife, Doris Jane White Norton of 64 years and three children and their families, Janice M. McCormack and son-in-law, Richard of Greer, S.C., Thomas M. Norton and wife Gayle of Islesboro, Maine, and Margaret A. Collins and son-in-law, Samuel of Downingtown, Pa. He was the loving "Bumpa" to eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held in Bentley Village at the West Clubhouse auditorium Friday, Dec. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Following the memorial service, a private interment service is planned for the family in St. John Evangelist Catholic Church, Naples, Fla., where Joseph was a member. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs, P.O. Box 474, Bonita Springs, FL 34133, in honor of Joseph's dedication to Rotary and longtime involvement locally with its Shots for Tots program. Naples Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, (239) 597-3101, is in charge.