John M. Norton

John M. Norton passed away peacefully in his sleep October 16, 2025 at the age of 88. He was born July 9, 1937, the son of Bernard Norton and Eleanor Norton (Wheeler).

He married Maureen T. Norton, the love of his life, December 10, 1956 in Tyson, VT. They celebrated 68 loving and devoted years together before Maureen's passing on January 31, 2024.

John was extremely proud of having worked his first dump truck hauling loads of materials (gravel, etc.) for the State of VT while helping to build I91 from the Massachusetts border to just south of Brattleboro. This work led him to begin his own business, Norton Excavating, INC. He rebuilt several bridges for the State of VT in the Orwell/Middlebury VT area. He was quite busy and very experienced in doing excavation/landscaping jobs for various primary and second homeowners, as well as floodwork repairs and other jobs for local Towns. He constructed 2 sports fields for the Town of Ludlow, 1 at BRHS and the complex on Pond St.

John had a lifelong dream of driving a tractor trailer over the road. He realized his dream a bit later in life - driving for C&S Wholesale for several years out of Brattleboro delivering loads of groceries to grocery stores throughout southern New England. He loved driving and doing mechanical work on his equipment and cars. He continued doing excavating jobs until just a few years before his passing, when he lovingly became full time at home caregiver for Maureen.

John had a passion for going on long walks and was most often seen along Rt 100 in Tyson beside Lakes Echo and Amherst in good weather or bad. Family was very important to John.

In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by Maureen's parents Harvey and Hattie Gray, his parents Bernard Norton & Eleanor Norton, step father Clifford Wheeler (Eleanor), brothers John Wheeler and Arnold Norton, sisters Ruth Kendall and Carole Blaise.

John is survived by a daughter Deborah Hyjek (Eugene) of Browns Summit, NC; two sons David Norton (Debra) of Proctorsville, VT and Darrin Norton (Hector) of North Springfield, VT; grandchildren Jeremy Hyjek (Monica), Christopher Norton (Kimberly), and Jonathan Norton (Michelle); great grandchildren Kaylee Norton, Lena Hyjek, Lyndsee Norton, and Isabella White; his sister-in-law Marcia Manner (Kendall) of Ludlow; brothers David (Jack) Norton (Irene) of Salisbury, NC and Everett Norton (Rose) of Ludlow, VT, and Dennis Norton (Carol) of Ascutney, VT; sisters Charmaine Bidgood (Robert) of North Springfield, VT and Colleen Johnson of Newport, NH, and Shirley Billings of Rutland, VT; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service for family members and friends will be held October 23 at 1:00 pm at Pleasant View Cemetery in Ludlow, VT. Per John's wishes, no other services are planned.

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting the family with the arrangements.