I knew John Norton during the 1980s and early 1990s when we fished together in Long Island Sound off the coast of Madison, CT. John was a bit older, and we were both solitary fisherman, enjoying sunrise and sunset alone, each aware of waves, whistling of tight lines in coastal winds, and the sky and sea in its many changing colors and patterns. Somehow we became close friends and came to enjoy fishing together. We fished the September and October months of gray seas and early sunsets. One October day with rough seas at Six Mile Reef, John hooked into a 12 pound (+/-) blue. He played it well to the bow to my position. I wrapped my hand around the steel leader to hoist the fish into the boat, but John's rusty leader broke and cut my fingers to the bone. John was upset that I had lost his fish. He suggested that if I clean my wounds in the cold saltwater, it would be the equivalent of "chuming" and he could continue fishing. In retrospect, I am glad I kept duck hunting a solitary experience! When my first child was born, John gave me a special gift. He painted a seascape of two men in a small craft with the coastline beyond. The painting still hangs in our dining room (see photo). I was privileged to have John as a companion and friend. My sincerest condolences to all of John's family and many friends.