I just saw the obituary for Ben. I was looking for him and others from back in the day.  We went out for a brief amount of time in the early 80’s.  Just want to tell the family I was sorry for their loss and send my condolences. I still had some of his business cards.

Ben,
To those who also loved your spirit!
I wish you were still here.
Gretchen’s sister, Heidi

How uncanny that I found this page only two days after another one of your friends wrote:

My sympathies to the rest of your friends and family still alive. It's a circle of people who can never forget you, for your energy and exuberance--kindness, generosity, and spirit of adventure.

Oh Ben, I found a photo recently that I think you took of my sister Gretchen Wernett of LA, in our home.  I looked you up and was making a plan to visit you and reconnect after so many years. How could I have missed out coming to visit by less than a year?  It's too late now, and I'm so sorry.

You were a wonderful friend to my sister who is no longer alive.
I so wanted to meet up with you and reminisce over those great years in LA during the '70's & '80's--I still remember the night you took my sister and I along with a friend of yours who worked as a salesman at the classic car dealership on Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills, to the showroom after hours and we had so much fun hopping in and out of the various cars on the floor as if we were going for a spin. I liked the Morgan most of all, but disappointed to find that I couldn't reach the pedals--it was so long!

Your uncle (Ben Norton, a jewelry designer) lived down the street from us on Wilton Place in LA. Our families were close.  Your uncle gave my mother a beautiful necklace he designed before she passed.  I still have it and treasure it, as this photo you took of my sister.  She looks so truly happy --and I know you were the one who made her laugh and smile, like that.  That was a gift.

I can remember you working on your motorcycle, a "Norton," in the backyard of your place in or near Burbank. I was the little sister, tagging along.

I so looked forward to hearing you laugh again too.
Maybe now, you are in a place, laughing together with my sister? That would be nice, indeed.
Thank you Ben, for making my sister's life so bright and light when the two of you spent time together.

With love, Heidi

Ben, my darling I am going to miss swinging by your place when I am in Vegas. You were family to me and I remember always arriving at the gate, yelling "Ben!! It's Cat from Canada!!!" Cliff would poke his head out and we would either have a nice break from you working on cars in the desert heat or it was time for another grand adventure like every time I'd see you. Somehow, even a visit was a grand adventure of sorts for the both of us!

You taught me so much about your life and living in Vegas. How to be practical, when not to drive in the desert and how to survive on my own wild adventures - or at least how to stay out of bad news situations or trouble!! I love you so much and you will be so missed you lived such a beautiful, wild life and touched so many hearts and lives.

The road trip with you to the Rolls Royce Convention that you loved so much down the REAL route 66 is one of the fondest memories of my life. I wonder what adventure you're on now that you are free of this world. And what car(s) you have chosen to take with you..? I know you must be so happy to be reunited with your mom I still protect and cherish her ring that you gave me. I trust that you'll still lead me in the right directon on my adventures and I've thought so much about you over the past year. I hope you have finally come to visit me in Canada.. Via Car, not plane of course ;) and I've got your hand <3 My only regret is that I so adored watching you joyfully snapping your pictures that I never got a selfie of the two of us. But your beautiful Clarice there she is, I remember being so amazed at the detail and the etched tiny windows and you taking this picture on the REAL FILM that you so loved.

I love you so much and miss you terribly, more now knowing we will not see another adventure together here on earth with you at my side. I will still hope that you join along the way XOXO ❤️

OBITUARY

Benjamin Craner Norton III

14 February, 1945 – 12 May, 2023

Palm Southwest Mortuary

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