Stephen J. Norton

Stephen J. Norton was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey, the son of Alfred and Anne Norton. He passed away peacefully at 72 on February 23, 2024 surrounded by family and friends after the sudden onset of pancreatic cancer. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Patricia Portanova, and is survived by his brothers Kevin and Brian, three nieces, three nephews and seven grandnieces. Steve was a bright, spirited young man with a large, close knit extended family of aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. He attended Fordham Prep, commuting from New Jersey to the Bronx at 14 years old. He was an excellent student and enjoyed sports – a pitcher in high school and later in the Shell corporate softball league, and a die-hard NJ Devils and NY Mets fan. Of note he was on a foreign studies tour in Prague when the Russians invaded in 1968.

His first and life-long love was music -- Rock & Roll music. Steve was an accomplished guitarist, and organized and played lead guitar in his first band The Young Republic in the late ‘60s. He was especially generous with his time and attention teaching guitar and developing an appreciation of music in younger family members. His second love was driving and caring for his 1965 Mustang “Rocco.”

He studied engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and graduated in 1974 with BSE and MSE degrees. He moved to New Orleans to join the Shell Oil Company as a completion engineer in their exploration and production division, starting a very successful 30-year career with Shell. He was a highly respected engineer with tours on-shore, off-shore, and in deep water drilling. He left a legacy of creatively applying novel technology and techniques to production challenges that won him a number of company commendations.

Steve had a gift for friendship and maintaining connections, never missing a birthday call, and sending a flood of King Cakes near and far each year. He was everyone’s favorite neighbor and Mr. Fix-it; a generous and loyal friend; a NOLA ambassador and tour guide for friends and family, and their families and friends; a consummate host; restaurant connoisseur; and an enthusiastic advocate of Jazz Fest.

Steve retired from Shell in 2003 and joined the Juniper Row band as lead guitar, and later played guitar and keyboards with the Nicole Ockmond Trio. He stayed active and connected with his RPI alumni group, and as organizer for the tri-annual Shell Retiree lunches. His creativity and entrepreneurial spirit was broadly based and included developing the Lobster.net mail-order polo shirt business; doodle inspired art; custom paintings of favorite NOLA locales for a fortunate few; and the annual Broderick Crawford Day greeting card and “10-4” puzzler.

Steve was a dedicated son, brother, uncle, cousin and godfather, a loyal friend and neighbor, and an exceptionally generous person. He will be greatly missed.

The memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Cecilia Church, 55 W. Demarest Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631, 201-568-0364.

Suggested donations:

Rebuilding Together New Orleans 2801 Marais Street New Orleans, LA 70117 (504) 264-1815

https://www.rtno.org/