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Michael Norton embodied everything Newmarket aims to be, friends say

Friends of the much beloved Newmarket man, who made it his mission to help everyone who needed a hand, hope the town will dedicate a memorial bench in his honour

Michael Norton so embodied everything Newmarket aims to be that some friends will ask the town in the new year to dedicate a memorial bench in his honour.

Norton, a longtime Newmarket resident who never said no to anyone who needed help, died Dec. 28 at Ottawa’s Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital continuing care centre after a year-long journey with cancer. He was 51.

Friend Jill Kellie said Norton represented everything for which the town strives, particularly with respect to the attributes of a character community, including integrity, fairness, honesty, respect, courage, responsibility, empathy, initiative, perseverance and optimism.

“We’re getting together to approach the town to do a memorial bench and to waive the cost because Michael represented everything that we say that we want Newmarket to be,” Kellie said. “We hope they’ll consider that because it’s a reminder for all of us to be our best and to help each other.”

Like many local friends, Kellie first met Norton on a Newmarket-centric Facebook group several years ago. One day “out of the blue” he sent her a message on the social media platform that he noticed the gardens at her place of work looked a little neglected. He offered to stop by the 310 COPE facility, which provides community mental health crisis services, and provide the soil, flowers and labour to get the garden into shape.

“He came by and did that on the hottest day of the year,” she said. “And he kept it up every year. It meant the world to the people that we serve. It was incredible, just so bright and beautiful.”

No matter who you talk to about Norton, they all have similar stories of a person who quietly and humbly went about what seemed to be his life’s work of showing people he cared. He had a finger on the pulse of Newmarket and would be the first person people called if they were in trouble, friends say.

“He was bigger than life and hilarious, but private still. He was just so funny,” Kellie said, echoing the thoughts of so many friends who left condolences on the local Facebook group posting about Norton’s passing.

What’s Up Newmarket Facebook group administrator Carlo Galloro wrote on Dec. 29: “May God take care of Michael Norton the same way he cared about this community. Life is not fair, and I have a very heavy heart today. He will be missed, and I hope his spirit does live on in Newmarket for all time. Rest in Peace friend. Your suffering is over now.”

Member Michael Oshust wrote: “You never said no to anyone we know and your heart was there for anyone, regardless. You were a rare gem that always made us smile. We will miss your humour and tireless efforts to get jobs done and always make us happy.”

Friend Sil Car wrote that Norton touched so many lives. “Michael was an incredible friend and human being. He truly will be missed. RIP, my friend.”

So selfless was Norton that he would be shocked by the hundreds of emotional messages flooding Facebook from local friends on learning of his passing, Kellie said.

“He helped everyone and if he could help us now figure out a way to go on without him, that would be amazing,” she added.

Newmarket resident Jen Bevin, who runs the downsizing and staging business, Your Newfie Sisters, struck up a friendship with Norton largely based on his zany humour.

“Michael had a great sense of humour, and I was just intrigued by his humour and thought he’d be fun to be around,” Bevin said. “If there was a single mom who needed a table and chairs, Michael would find a way to get it to her.”

Norton became became Bevin’s “go-to guy” when she needed help with her downsizing contracts. From fence painting to dump runs and donation pickups, Norton could be relied upon to get the job done. He was self-employed as a handyman of sorts, and was able to carry out a wide variety to jobs.

“He would give a percentage of all his earnings to charity,” Bevin said. “I said to Michael one time, “Are you independently wealthy or something? Why do you give so much money away’? He never did answer me.”

“Michael could take something serious and turn it into something so silly,” she said. “He was truly a character. He was always doing little things for people. You never knew all the good works he was up to until people would give him a shoutout on Facebook.”

Bevin spent a good deal of time on the telephone with Norton in the later stages of his illness, talking long into the night. She was also instrumental in supporting him after his diagnosis, friends say, including helping him relocate to Ottawa, where his family lives.

One of their more memorable conversations captures Norton’s spirit perfectly, Bevin said

“Michael said the one thing he was really worried about was that his grandmother always promised that when she gets to heaven, she’s going to open the back door for him,” she said. “And he was concerned because she was still alive. I told him not to worry, that I thought he had earned his wings and he would go straight up.”

Friend Lori Porter started the GoFundMe campaign, Michael Norton's Legacy, to continue his legacy of kindness, caring and love of community. All funds raised will go toward the causes Norton was most passionate, including the Armitage Village Public School breakfast program, in which he played a key role in its operation, the Newmarket Food Pantry and the Ontario SPCA, as he was an animal lover. It has so far raised $220 of its $1,000 goal.

Norton’s family have also requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to his favourite charity, Armitage Village Public School Breakfast Program, Breakfast Program - Michael Norton, Attn: Shanti Caswell, Armitage Village Public School, 125 Savage Rd., Newmarket, ON, L3X 1R, or via the Michael Norton Armitage PS Breakfast Fund GoFundMe campaign here.

A celebration of life for Michael Norton will take place Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home, 137 Main St. S., Newmarket.

Norton passed with his family by his side Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 at the age of 51. He is the beloved son of Frank and Dawn (nee Keough) Norton, loving brother of Julie Findlay (John), Jay (Katrina Dumont) and Wendy (Kyle Nighbor), cherished uncle of Jaden, Meghan, Jackson, Maddie, Callan, Karriss and Joryn, dear grandson of Frances (nee Maple) and the late Frank Norton Sr., and the late Kenneth and Anna (nee McCormack) Keough, dear nephew of Brian and Beverley (Keough) Norton.

He will be missed by cousins Stephanie Van Dyke (Andrew), Tara Merrin (Rick) and Matthew Norton (Angela).

An Ottawa memorial service is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Westboro Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 403 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, with a reception to follow.


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Kim Champion

About the Author: Kim Champion

Kim Champion is a veteran journalist and editor who covers Newmarket and issues that impact York Region.
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