Frederick James Norton, 64, of Ledyard, went to heaven on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at his home.
Fred was born on June 7, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and grew up with his family in Lynbrook, N.Y. He attended Atlantic Ave. Elementary School and graduated from Lynbrook High School in 1961 and took classes at the C.W. Post campus.
His career path began with a paper route, working in a pharmacy, as a dishwasher, rodman, surveyor, and finally as a civil engineer responsible for overseeing large bridge construction with Steinman, a Parsons Transportation Group company.
Fred was married to Constance on Jan. 10, 1965, in Yonkers, N.Y.
They moved to Connecticut in 1972, and Fred helped engineer the Gold Star Bridge from two lanes to five lanes. Fred was a member of the New London Motorcycle Club-Endoro Racing, the Connecticut Ornithological Association, the American Birding Association, the Connecticut and Rhode Island Audubon Societies, and the Old Mystic Baptist Church Golf League which he won in 2005.
He was very intellectual, hardworking, loved cars, fishing, riding motorcycles, building and flying model airplanes with his son, golfing, and he was a highly respected birdwatcher.
Fred is survived by his first wife, Constance T. Ricapito-Norton; their two children, Frederick S. Norton of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Cherie T. Norton-Williams and her husband, Thomas D. Williams, of Stonington; and a step-granddaughter, Sara D. Williams of Groton, who called him "Grandpa F". He is also survived by three brothers and their families, Richard J. Norton of Topanga, Calif., Jerome J. Norton and his wife, Abigail, and their two children, John and Annie, of Syossett, N.Y., and Howard J. Norton and Shelley, and their daughter, Jillian, of Lynbrook, N.Y.
He was predeceased by his parents, John A. Norton and Eugenia A. Kasey-Norton of Lynbrook.
Fred had two pet parrots, Tequila and Jake, plus numerous grand pets that loved him and will miss him so very much. He was known to his grand pets as "Grandpa Grapples".
Fred and Constance were the love the each other's lives. Their children, Freddie and Cherie, loved their father more than words could ever say. All of his brothers, family, and friends dearly loved him. The nickname "Freddie Babe" was given to him by his son-in-law's father, Russell.
A Memorial service will be held at The Old Mystic Baptist Church, 151 Shewville Rd., Old Mystic on Saturday, November 3rd at 12noon. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Private burial will precede at Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Audubon Society.
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