Stephen Gerard Norton

Stephen G. “Jerry” Norton, age 93, passed away Saturday morning, October 4, 2025. At the time of his death he resided in Jacksonville, Florida. Jerry was born in New Rochelle, NY in 1931 to parents Clyde A Norton Sr. and Eva Vidal. He spent his formative years in NY and on Long Island. He attended St. Lawrence University and was drafted serving in the US Army Signal Corp from 1952-1954. Jerry married Anne DeCandido before shipping out to serve in the south pacific. He was stationed in Enewetok where he and his fellow soldiers were witness to one of the first hydrogen bomb tests. After his service, Jerry completed his degree in Electrical engineering from Columbia University. After graduating he spent 40 years developing sophisticated airborne radar systems with Grumman aerospace for the US Navy and Air Force.

During this time, he raised 3 boys (Scott, David and Chris) and was active in his community as a scoutmaster (1972-1976), and coach of his children in football and baseball. Jerry was past president, officer and coach of St. Patrick’s youth league from 1966 to 1986 and received the Community Service award from the town of Huntington, NY in 1982.

In 1987 his work took him to Florida as director of engineering of Grumman Melbourne System. After retiring in 1992 he relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach where he enjoyed boating, golf and tennis. Jerry continued his community involvement coaching Pop Warner in Ponte Vedra. He embarked on another phase of life photographing and reporting on the local sports scene for the Ponte Vedra recorder. Jerry was instrumental in establishing the Junior Development League (JDL) program as an alternative to Pop Warner that emphasized player participation in all positions, assuring play time and most importantly having fun. He has coached thousands of kids in football, baseball, softball, and wheelchair tennis. He stepped down from JDL, passing the torch to others to continue on, in 2010. His JDL program has been replicated in other communities in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. In 1995, Jerry received the Chamber of Commerce Local Hero Award and in 2022 Jerry received the Art of Giving award from the First Coast Cultural Center of Florida.

Jerry was an accomplished writer. He started in the field of technical writing as an Engineer, but his writing expanded to include sports reporting, rhymes, and then with of series of popular books including:

“Mom, Can I Play Football?”

“Unintended consequences: How adults took fun out of youth sports”

“Why? Born with a Purpose”

“Am I Old Yet?-89 and Counting”

At 89 with his body aging, and medical consequences from radiation exposure as an atomic veteran compounding, chronic pain became a way of life. In 2019 he participated in Mayo Clinic’s pain rehabilitation program. Here he learned that painting could be an effective mechanism in coping with chronic pain. In the 4 years since starting he has completed over 500 painting in 4 categories: Kids and other people; Animals; Scenes; Cars, Planes, Boats and Trains. These paintings populate his “…from my palette” picture books: Faces in American History; Music Makers; Who’s Who in Grandpa’s Zoo vol. 1 and 2; and Paint Your Pain Away.

His paintings are reflections of his life experiences that remind him of childhood events and provide fond memories. Through his website he his mission has been to inspire others and to show, regardless of age or circumstance, it is possible to overcome challenges and create something beautiful. He felt that it was never too late to pursue your passions and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Jerry was preceded in death by his older brother Clyde Jr. his first wife Anne, eldest son Scott, his sister Sandra and his second wife Mary Lou. He is survived by his sons David and Christopher (Christine) and Granddaughter Emily.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at Hardage-Giddens St Johns Funeral Home located at 1285 St Johns Parkway, St Johns, Florida 32259.

Family will receive guests from 10:00 - 11:00 am with light refreshments to be served at 12:00.