James M Norton 1926-2017

Jim Norton, formerly of Great Valley, Salamanca, and Lancaster, New York, passed away at his home in Boulder, Colorado from natural causes two weeks before his 91st birthday.

Born in 1926, he was the son of Courtney B. and Hila Ryan Norton. In 1950, he married Joyce E. Barnhart. They had two children, William (Bill) and Nancy.

After Jim graduated from Salamanca High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII, served as a radioman on the USS Charette in the Pacific Fleet and survived three typhoons while at sea. Jim earned his BS degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University – the middle of three generations of Alfred alumni – then worked in Connecticut for a year before returning to Great Valley following his father’s sudden death to help run the family’s hardwood lumber manufacturing business, C.B. Norton & Son. Jim became the company’s president and later retired after 53 years with the company.

Jim was a founding member and trustee of New York Lumbermen’s Insurance Trust Fund; a member of the Cattaraugus County Economic Development Committee, Industrial Development Agency, and BOCES advisory board; and a Salamanca Alderman. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Salamanca and attended the United Methodist Church in Great Valley.

Jim was a talented amateur photographer who built a darkroom in his basement, an avid skier, an enthusiastic cook, and recreational wine-maker. He had an engineer’s keen interest in learning how things work. He loved walking in the woods and orchids on his windowsill. Jim enjoyed socializing with his large circle of friends and was noted for his determination, independence, integrity, good humor, and tender heart.

Surviving are his daughter, Nancy Norton (Robert Lipschutz); grandson James Norton (April Pullium); and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce; son, William; elder brother, Ryan; and his parents.

Family will receive friends at O’Rourke and O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Saturday, October 21 from 11:00am to noon, at which time a memorial service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.