Joseph Norton

Joseph M. Norton Naples, FL

Joseph Michael Norton, 91, of Naples, died November 15, 2008 after a valiant struggle with cancer. He was born in Hightstown, NJ on May 2, 1917 the son of the late Michael J. and Mabel Van Cleve Sutphen Norton. Joseph attended schools in Hightstown, NJ and graduated from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ with a B.S. in accounting/economic s and also attended Rutgers University. He was a WW II four year Army Air Force veteran. His business career included executive positions in Lenox China, New Jersey, Homesote Company, New Jersey and Manpower Inc. of Tidewater, VA. He retired in 1981 as co-owner and executive vice president of Atlantic Nuclear Services in Norfolk, VA.

A long-time Rotarian, Joseph was past president of the Norfolk, VA Rotary Club, and later in retirement, a member of other Rotary clubs in eastern North Carolina, where he served as district governor 1992 to 1993 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 to 2000. In 2005, Joseph was made honorary lifetime member of the 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, FL. 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 WW II); three sisters, Marie McCarthy, Elizabeth Phelan and Kathryn Derrico.

He is survived by his wife, of 64 years, Doris Jane White Norton; three children and their families, Janice M. McCormack and son-in-law, Richard of Greer, SC, Thomas M. Norton and wife, Gayle of Islesboro, ME and Margaret A. Collins and sonin-law, Samuel, of Downington, PA. He was the loving "Bumpa" to eight grandchildren and; seven great- grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at Bentley Village at the West Clubhouse auditorium on Friday, December 5, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Following the memorial service, a private interment service is planned for the family at St. John Evangelist Catholic Church, Naples, FL 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 long-time involvement locally with it Shots for Tots program.

Naples Memorial Funeral

Home and Cemetery

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