Condolence: John and Caroline are remembered for their kindness and gentle witness. Great people from a great generation.

Condolence: Love to remember John's cheer and laughter at Waldoboro Lions Club gatherings.

Condolence: On this anniversary of John's passing, we want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope that the memories of the past give you encouragement for the future as you walk each day with your loved on in your heart. It is our privilege and honor to serve your family. Hall Funeral Home

Condolence: John Norton was one of the kindest men I have ever known. He and Caroline had an outstanding marriage. "Johnny", as I fondly recall, set an example of humble excellence that is remarkabe in this day and age, perhaps because he was the product of a wonderful generation of men -- such as his brother-in-law, Twid Hemingway, who knew no other way to live but being a gentleman in every respect. My conratulations -- not condolences -- to John's progeny because of his witness in this life.

Condolence: What a love story - to see John and Caroline together was to see a measure of affection, understanding, and mutual respect rarely seen in this hurried world. They truly enjoyed each other and that joy touched all of us who knew them. It is so right that they are together again. Blessings on their beautiful spirits.

Condolence: 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.

Condolence: Uncle Johnny was the sweetest man. He always had a big smile on his face, and was sure to chuckle about something, no matter what the topic. You always felt better when you were around him.

I have two stories that come to mind when I think of my uncle Johnny. When I was 10 or 11, I was playing spotlight with my many cousins, while the adults were chatting on the porch after dinner. A group of us kids swore we saw a bear running across the lawn (probably a shadow, but you know how dramatic kids are), so we went running and screaming to tell our parents. Basically, they all looked at us like we were crazy, except for Uncle Johnny. He listened to our story carefully, then stood up and said, "Wait here while I go get my gun and check this out," and he did. He was our hero that night!

My other favorite story is the time he traveled with my dad and I to see Turner's watercolors at the Yale Museum of British Art. At the time, Uncle Johnny and I were both into painting, so we went to the Prints and Drawing room to view Turner's work. After looking at a few of the watercolors, Uncle Johnny said to the girl who was helping us, with a completely straight face, "Do you have any of John Norton's works?" The look on her face was priceless, and Dad, Uncle Johnny and I preceded to burst out laughing. What a fun day....

Condolence: Jeff, Paul, Ellen and family. Oh how I cherish the wonderful Madison memories of your Mom and Dad. Their smiles, sense of humor, and kindness will stay with us all forever. Our condolences and most heartfelt thoughts. Always, Nancy & Brian Wood.

Condolence: John was a long time member of the Waldoboro Lions Club, those kf us who were members with John, fondly remember John as a loyal, dedicataed, hard working Lion, we have missed him at ou meetings over the past few years. The Waldoboro Lions send their condolences to his family, you are in our thoughts.

Tom Jordan
President
Waldoboro Lions Club

Condolence: When I think of John, the first thing that comes to my mind was his beaming smile. Even during times of adversity, and in the last five or six years there had been a few, he was always able to find something to smile or laugh about. His smile and laughter were a gift…you just felt good when you were around him. And didn’t John love to laugh! I cannot think of anyone else I would rather tell a joke to; with John, you just knew you’d get a good laugh. And when John himself told a joke, he often started laughing well before the joke began and at many points before the punch line. Sometimes, in fact, his own laughing would even drown out the punch line! I won’t go into the type of humor that most got John laughing, but the last meal I shared with John featured baked beans. And, yes, on that Saturday before he left us, we all shared many good laughs, even when he found out they had run out of chocolate ice cream. I’m going to miss his smile.