Eugene "Ed" J. Norton

Eugene “Ed” J. Norton of Reading, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the age of 88, with his son Bob and friends at his side.

Eugene was born in Portland, Maine, the oldest child of the late Mary and Russell Norton. With the arrival of three younger siblings (Buddy, Arthur and Bob), the family moved to Gardiner, Maine and eventually relocated to Reading in 1955. It was at Reading High that friends gave Eugene the nickname “Ed” because he didn’t dress like the rest of the kids, and he reminded them of Ed Norton from the 1950’s TV show “The Honeymooners.” Ed was befriended by Len Redfern, also class of 1956, which led to two formative relationships for Ed.

The first was introduction to Len’s father Len, a WW II Marine Corps veteran, who inspired Ed’s enlistment in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1956, with deployments to Japan and the Far East as a helicopter operations and transport specialist. Anyone who knew Ed knows the lifelong honor and pride he felt at being a United States Marine.

The second introduction was to Len’s sister Brenda whom Ed married in 1962 -- one of the first couples to marry at the new St. Athanasius Parish. Ed and Brenda bought their first and only home in Reading in 1963, where they raised their sons Bob and Michael, hosted many gatherings through the years for family and friends, and were a treasured part of the “Poets Circle” neighborhood.

Ed may best be characterized as a very determined late bloomer, in that he was in his early 40s when he began a dedicated running regimen. He ran daily, competed in many marathons, and took particular and well-deserved pride in competing in and finishing the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii in 1989. Most importantly, running introduced him to a truly remarkable cohort of friends, who dubbed themselves “Men in Tights.” They were and have remained steadfast, loyal friends to this day.

Then, in his late 50s/early 60s, after a decades-long career in the insurance industry, Ed made a transition to nursing, earning his BS, MS and Nurse Practitioner degrees from Regis College. For many years he worked at, and eventually retired from, the Essex County Jail in Middleton.

He had a keen interest in news and politics and loved the Boston Red Sox, with fond memories of attending playoff and World Series games with his sons and brother Buddy.

Ed faced his own serious health challenges over the past 15 years, while also being caregiver to his wife Brenda. Through his strong Catholic beliefs and faith, strengthened by over 60 years as a parishioner, Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte at St. Athanasius Church, he faced those challenges honestly, yet hopefully. He is now at peace.

Ed was the beloved husband of Brenda (Redfern) Norton for 59 years until her death in 2021. He is survived by his sons Robert Norton (Karen) and Michael Norton; granddaughters Alexa and Jenna; brother Robert Norton (Margot); and sisters-in law Janis Newcomb and Jennifer Marks. He was predeceased by his brothers Russell “Buddy” Norton and Arthur Norton.

There will be a Funeral Mass celebrating Ed’s eternal life on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Private interment will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Eugene/Ed’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org) at the link below.