Russell B. Norton Jr.

NORTON, Russell Bertram Jr. 74, of East Sandwich, MA passed away at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis on September 15, 2021. He was born to the late Russell B. Norton, Sr. and Ruth Elaine Norton (McKenney) in Providence, RI on February 26, 1947.

Russell grew up in Needham and graduated from Needham High School. He attended college at University of Michigan, Westfield State, and Framingham State where he achieved his Master's Degree in Education. He started as a math teacher in the Needham Public Schools. He moved on to the Sandwich Public School system where he continued as a math teacher and then department head. He eventually became Assistant Principal and then Principal before moving on to the Mt. Greylock Regional High School as the Principal there. He officially retired in 2003 after over 30 years in Massachusetts education.

He loved soccer. He played at Westfield and continued to play while teaching in Needham. After moving to Sandwich, he was a member of the group responsible for bringing a separate girls soccer program to the town. He also coached many of his children's soccer teams through the town club and high school Varsity programs.

An avid carpenter, he built the family home in Sandwich and continuously improved it well into his retirement including adding an orchard.

Not one to sit still for even a moment, he remained active in retirement. He worked for RGIS, became active in the local Lions club, and worked at Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock where he could be found in his Santa Claus outfit every Christmas. In between all this he still found time to travel, play with his grandchildren, and start an annual cider press where he worked on perfecting his apple cider recipe.

He is survived by his loving wife Katherine Norton (Leab) of 51 years of marriage, his sister Michele Norton, 3 children, Heather Holst (Eric Holst), Stephanie Rausch (Sean Rausch) and Russell Norton (Jessica Hayes), and 3 grandchildren, Weston Norton, Julianna Norton and Patrick (PJ) Rausch.

A Memorial gathering will be held on Thursday September 23rd from 3-6pm at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 RT.6A Sandwich, MA. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Russell's name to; Alzheimer's Association at; https://www.alz.org/