Avis de décès de Robert-J. Norton

BOSCAWEN - Robert J. Norton, 72, of Boscawen, died early morning Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at the Concord Hospice House after a long illness.Robert (Bob) was born in Keene on May 5, 1939, the son of James C. Norton and Eva Dora (Woods) Norton.He grew up in Keene and attended local schools. He received his GED in the U.S. Navy, where he served for seven years.Upon his discharge, he moved to Concord, where he worked at Sears & Roebucks.He was a Concord police officer for two years before transferring to the Concord Fire Department, where he retired after 20 years of service.After retiring, he worked for St. Paul's School in Concord, opened an antique store in Tilton, and drove a school bus for Merrimack Valley and Concord School districts and for Project Second Start.Bob was Past Master of Horace Chase Lodge 72 of Boscawen, Past Grand Patron N.H. Order of the Eastern Star, Past Patron of Priscilla Chapter 51 OES of Penacook, past officer Anniversary Lodge of Research 175, a member of Bektash Temple, High Rollers Mini-Monster Truck Patrol, 32° Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Concord and Nashua, Sword of Bunker Hill, National Campers Association, and the Lone Wolves Antique Car Club.His hobbies included over 50 years of being the official Santa for the Horace Chase Lodge and for the residents of the Masonic Home in Manchester, as well as for friends, family, and for the many other organizations that he belonged to. He also enjoyed collecting Santas, yard sales, fishing, hunting, camping and spending time with his family and friends.Robert is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lorraine (Knowlton) Norton of Boscawen; Son Stephen J. Norton and partner, Carol St. Pierre, of Boscawen; daughter, Sharon L. Norton of Spring Hill Fla.; grandson Edward Blevens and wife, Maria, of Bedford; granddaughter Jennifer Fleming and husband, Derek, of Land O'Lakes Fla.; great-grandson Dylan Blevens; great granddaughters Alexia Fleming, Arianna Lalane, Cierra Groleau and Mariah Williams; sisters Marylin Leahy and husband, Robert, of Keene, Elizabeth Pellegrine and husband, Ralph, of Falmouth Mass., Marjorie Chelena and husband, Robert, of Tampa Fla.; brother William Norton and wife, Christina, of Mariana Fla.; brother-in-law Richard Kempton of Falmouth Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.Robert was predeceased by his brothers Leonard Norton, George Norton; and sisters Geraldine Kempton, wife of Richard Kempton, and Janice Norton.Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N Main St., Concord.Calling hours are Wed. Feb. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m.An Order of the Eastern Star Service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic Service.A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 1, at 11 a.m. at the West Congregational Church, 499 N State St., Concord.Family will be receiving friends in the church fellowship hall following the memorial service.Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Project Second Start, 17 Knight St., Concord 03301; to the Penacook Rescue Squad, 1 Oak St. Boscawen 03303, or to the Concord S.P.C.A., 130 Washington St., Penacook 03303.Messages of condolence may be offered at bennettfuneral.com.