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© 2021 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
Donald F. Norton– Of Somerville passed away quietly in his home, surrounded by many friends, on October 9, 2019.
Beloved husband of the late of Patricia R. (Manahan) Norton.
Dear son of the late Julia (Brosnan) Dugan and stepson of the late Raymond Dugan.
Loving brother of the late Robert A. Norton and his surviving wife Carole of Westford.
Dear uncle of Linda Beebe of Westford, John Norton of Westford and Donna Norton of Lowell.
Cherished grandfather of Corey Norton and Kaitlin Norton.
Great grandfather of Naomi, Nevaeh, Luna and William.
Predeceased by his loving foster parents Louis and Marie Bannister.
He was born and raised in the city of Somerville and spent his entire life there. Donald was a well known real estate broker who left an incredible list of achievements. He became a real estate broker in 1977 and an owner partner of Union Real Estate in 1983, owner of ERA Real Estate in 1990, owner of Norton Real Estate in 2011. Donald recently sold his office to Century 21 North Shore in 2018 and remained as an associate until his death.
Donald was at one time the owner/publisher of The Somerville Times and later served as its Managing Editor.
Donald’s list of accomplishments included: Appointed to the Somerville Board of Health in 2000 and was appointed to the Licensing Board in 2003. He served as President of the Somerville Rotary Club, Past President Of The ERA Real Estate Council, Founder and President of The Highland Masonic Building Association, Vice president Somerville Property Owners, President Ward Seven Civic Association, Certified Real Estate License Instructor, two times Past Master Of King Solomon’s Lodge, Somerville, a Shriner, Benefactor Of The Little Sisters Of The Poor and a myriad of other Somerville foundations and charities in a list too lengthy to mention.
Relatives and Friends invited. Calling hours will be held at the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, Tuesday 4:00 -8:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Residence, 186 Highland Ave, Somerville, Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m.
Interment Pine Grove Cemetery, Westford.
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Donald was a wonderful friend and a great person. I will miss him and Patty very much. May they RIP.
You will be missed!
I will miss him a lot–he did a lot for me–I will always be grateful.
Donald will be missed. He was bodily a successful businessman but a good friend. Don will be remembered by all of his East Somerville friends. A number of us met with Donald this last June at the East Somerville annual get together. Don was always trying to get the down back group together. Rest In Peace Donald.
Some of the political pieces were brutal toward the newcomers and Barnies. Who can forget “Queen Jehlen” and “Princess Rebekah”? But Donald could see the writing on the wall. He was a realtor. He knew firsthand that the old community of Irish, Italian, and Portuguese immigrant families was slipping away and being replaced by younger and wealthier newcomers who haven’t been shy about demanding power and influence, increasingly without bothering to get to know the communities they were replacing, or merely paying them lip service. He missed the Somerville of his youth. He was its biggest cheerleader and amateur historian. And still, the homes and condos kept selling. It’s a complicated legacy. He seemed to soften up over the last few years, especially after Patti’s declining health and his own diagnosis. Somerville will miss him.
Will miss our long and mostly funny convos about old time politics and old school Somerville growing up in the city. RIP Donald
A fellow Downbacker has passed on and has joined his wife Patty into eternity. The old neighborhood gang will miss you and so will the countless people you’ve touched along the way all through your life. Travel well my old friend……….
My heart is broken. Donald was a great father in law.
Rest easy, Pops. Try not to lose your glasses.
Such a tragic loss to lose two wonderful people in the span of a couple of weeks. I will always remember Donald and Patty.
Donald and Patty got married while a race riot was taking place nearby. Their half century together saw enormous changes in our nation, and in our city. Back then Somerville people could disagree intensely, but remember that they were part of the same community. Now, not so much.
Disagreements were often the substance of the conversations that I shared with Donald, but we always got along. And he never tried to influence what I wrote. I couldn’t ask for much more from a publisher.
When John Donne wrote, “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee,” he was part of a community. Now most never even hear the bell. Donald and I were not close. But today the bell tolls for me, and I am saddened.
Dear Donald,
I just learned the horrible news. You are wonderful person, and we loved you dearly. My wife and I will miss you tremendously. I am only relieved to know that you and Patty are happy together once again.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Norton family at this sad time.
I was so sad to hear of Donald’s passing. He was such a great guy, one of a kind. He leaves a legacy of activism and his contributions to the city of Somerville and its people are many. I will remember fondly the many campaigns we worked on back in the 80s and 90s. Thank you Donald for always taking the time to wish me a happy birthday or make a mention of my visit home to Somerville in your Newstalk column. Now reunited with your beloved Patty, I wish you peace and comfort.