Charleston, South Carolina
Thomas Joseph Norton, Jr. JAMES ISLAND - Thomas J. Norton, Jr., 89, husband of Elizabeth G. Norton, passed peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 13, 2013. Born December 25, 1923, in West Newton, Massachusetts, he was the son of Thomas J. Norton, Sr. and Grace Reilly Norton. Tom served with the US Marines in W.W.II and went on to graduate from Boston College. He married the late Barbara Ann Smith in 1949 and they had six children. Tom served as a Special Agent for the FBI for 25 years and founded Norton Investigative and Polygraph Services. He was an avid basketball player and fan and was well-known at the James Island YMCA for his countless hours of volunteer work as a Board Member, coach, mentor, and referee. Tom also founded and coached the first Nativity School team in the city parochial basketball league. While serving on various committees at Nativity Church, he met and married Elizabeth McMenamin on June 19, 1988. Tom was predeceased by a son, Thomas Norton; a stepson, Neal McMenamin and his sisters, Ann Norton and Mary Ahearn. He is survived by his wife, Liz and children: Denise Callahan (Bob), Carol Dox (Ron), Lauren Norton, Joseph Norton (Mary), and Timothy Norton (Cynthia); stepchildren: Elizabeth McMenamin, Edward McMenamin, and Margaret McMenamin-Ryan (Stephen), Mary McMenamin; his siblings: Grace Carney, Doris McKenna, Philip Norton, and Sr. Jane Norton; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and countless loving nieces and nephews. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Joseph Norton, Jr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at The Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Rd. The Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM this Monday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. His guestbook may be signed online at www.jamesamcalister.com. Memorial donations may be made to The Church of the Nativity Building Fund, 1061 Folly Rd., Charleston, SC 29412. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
I met Mr. Norton when I came to work for the FBI in 1974. I came to know you all like a family when his son, Tommy, and I dated. I have a huge respect for the Norton family and I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Teresa Redmond-Lang
July 22, 2013 | Lexington, SC
Dear Tim, Cynthia and family,
On behalf of Grace United Methodist Weekday School, we send our deepest sympathy with the loss of your father. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. God Bless!
Joyce Gresh
July 16, 2013 | Charleston, SC
Joe,haven't seen or spoken to you in a while.My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with you and your family at this time of bereavement.May God bless and keep you all in his care. Emmajean Wilder (ms.Jean)
July 16, 2013
to Norton family, so sorry to hear about your dad. I will always remember the many hours I spent at the 'Y' and your dad was there coaching our Nativity "Rebels" basketball team.Those were some great times.
Joseph Luhrs
July 16, 2013 | Charleston, SC
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your loving memories of Tom will sustain you in the days ahead. God bless you. Grace
Grace Carney
July 15, 2013 | Centerville, MA
sorry for your loss. I loved your parents from the first time I met them on Quail Drive on James Island. I have many fond memories of all of you Norton children. Kim and Kathy always thought you were all great. Love you and pray for you.
Connie Veronee
July 15, 2013 | North Charleston, SC
To All the Dear Nortons,
My prayers are with you now, but my thoughts are of another time. When I first met you, I was like every 14-year old. I wanted to fit in. But, that was hard to do in Charleston when you weren't from here. In fact, this went far beyond not sharing the same zip code or area code. I was a “damn Yankee” and so were you all.
For making me feel at home while we all worked it out, I thank you:
• for having a big family with cousins with the same names
• ...
July 15, 2013
Who can forget the numerous hours of coaching and working at the JIY that Tom gave to the JI community. The late 60s and 70s were a great time for me to have known and volunteered with Tom. I am very sad to hear of his passing but celebrate the knowledge of having known a wonderful man and the family he and Barbara raised.
God bless you.
Garry Anthony
July 15, 2013
To Timmy, Joey and rest of the family,
Sorry to hear of your loss,you are all in our thoughts and prayers.God Bless.
Jimmy Hayes
July 15, 2013 | Johns Island, SC
