Karl E. Norton
..USMC Veteran and charter member of Elks and K of C; 79
TEWKSBURY - Karl E. Norton, age 79, a Charter and Life Member of several fraternal organizations, died Wednesday, December 29, at the Blairehouse of Tewksbury, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Doris K. (Lee) Norton, with whom he had celebrated a 55th wedding anniversary this past June 12th.
He was born in Woburn, September 30, 1931 a son of the late Robert A. and Doris W. (Weiss) Norton. He was raised in Arlington, graduated Arlington High School with the Class of 1949, and moved to Tewksbury in 1956.
He enlisted into the Marines at the beginning of the Korean War, and earned eleven Battle Stars or Battle Ribbons while participating in four separate battles. He was honorably discharged in 1954.
His work career began at Boston and Maine Railroad, where he worked as a brakeman. He moved to the United States Postal Service, where he worked as a letter carrier in Tewksbury and Lexington. He also worked evenings as a bartender at the former Anchor Restaurant in Tewksbury for over 16 years, and at the Tewksbury Wilmington Elks members room and functions bars. Karl was a Charter Member of both the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge # 2070, and the Fr. Coppins Council, 4336, Knights of Columbus in Tewksbury, a Life Member of the 1st Marine Division, Boston Chapter, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans Post 110 in Tewksbury, a Life Member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 1012 in Medford, and member of the American Legion in Tewksbury.
Karl was a communicant, and also served as an usher and lector at St. Dorothy's Parish in Wilmington.
Typical of his giving and caring nature, Karl was the donor of 104 pints of Blood during his lifetime.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Doreen A. Cunniff-Durkin and her husband Paul of Norton, MA, Donna A. Neary of Tewksbury, and David A. Norton and his wife Charlotte of Billerica; five grandchildren, Melissa Cunniff, Alexandra Norton, Kristina Neary, Olivia Norton, and Kyle Neary; a sister Dorothy Sullivan of Arlington; a sister-in-law, Janet Norton of Melrose; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also father of the late Daniel A. Norton, and brother of the late Robert F. Norton.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, Jan. 7, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial with USMC Honors followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, will be appreciated.