Charles C. Norcross

1929 - 2022

Charles C. Norcross
March 29, 1929 - June 30, 2022
Charles was born March 29,1929 to Charles Norcross and Isabel McMorrow Norcross in Chicago IL, the only boy in a family of three girls. He was a child of the Great Depression, a teen during WWll, soaking up all the war news from radio, newspapers, and newsreels at the movies, and, as an adult can recall dates, and events from the war with astounding accuracy.
Charles (Charlie) attended Chicago public schools and the University of Chicago, earning a BA (1949) and an MBA (1952). He served on active duty in the Marine Corps as 2nd/1st Lt. 1952-1955, obtained the rank of Captain while in the reserves, and was honorably discharged at that rank.
He was employed for 28 years as an auditor for the US Department of the Navy. Four of those years were spent in the far east, mainly Japan, and 2 years in London doing audits of bases in Europe. Before working for the Navy he worked 2 years as an auditor for the Stars and Stripes newspaper in Darmstadt, Germany. After he retired from the Navy he worked for 7 years as auditor / accountant for the East Bay Regional Park District.
In 1969 Charlie married Carlie Fowler Todd and adopted her daughter Anne. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1985 he married Mary Tait Payne,a Senior Center Director and mother of two, with whom he spent 38 happy years. Together they enjoyed their large blended family, pleased to host many family gatherings. Both were fans of A's baseball, opera, and travel. Charlie was particularly proud of having visited all 50 states.
Charlie was for many years an avid weight lifter. He also enjoyed gardening and covered their out-of-doors with beautiful shrubs and flowers. His fluency with foreign languages and his study of French and German continued into his 80s.
Charlies kindness, generosity, and witticisms will be sorely missed. Charlie died on June 30, 2022 at age 93. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his daughter Anne Prell, stepson Chuck Payne, stepdaughter Gail Payne, her husband Rob Mann, grandsons Gaius and Oscar Mann, and dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by all three of his sisters and brothers-in-law: Mary Ellen and Lawrence Keilman, Peggy and Ron Maher, and Dorothy and Bob McMullen, and his son-in-law Larry Prell.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Planned Parenthood.