Phillip Gerald Norton

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, on April 19, 1944, to Patrick Joseph Norton and Ruth Beattie Norton, Phillip (“Phil”) was the first of six siblings. Shortly after birth, he moved with his parents to Brooklyn, New York, where he spent his formative years. He attended Our Lady of Angels Catholic School in Bay Ridge before going to Brooklyn Technical High School with a post graduate year at Columbia Prep in Washington, D.C. As an acclaimed high school football player, he was recruited by many universities, but he chose to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

While at the Naval Academy (Class of 1966) he studied engineering. He was a three-year letterman on the football team, playing wide receiver on the legendary 1964 Cotton Bowl team. He also played on the lacrosse team, where they were undefeated and ranked number one for all three of his seasons. Despite his academic and athletic achievements, his most consequential moment during his Navy years occurred when he was on summer leave. On August 4, 1963, Phil met the love of his life and future wife, Patricia Anne O’Hear, on Cape Cod. They were married in 1966, and over the next 57 years, until her death in 2023, she was the center of his life.

During his Navy life, Sea Duty tours took Phil to many parts of the world, including combat zones in Vietnam and to various places in Asia. On shore, Phil and Patricia moved from San Diego, California, to Clinton, Maryland, and then to Richmond, Virginia in 1970 for post Navy life. They ultimately settled in McLean, Virginia in 1976. His post Navy career started at Memorex, where he sold computer storage technology. In 1978, he started Systems Leasing Corporation, which grew to become one of the largest independent technology leasing businesses in the country. He sold the business in 1986.

In addition to his professional endeavors, from the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s, Phil spent a great deal of time and energy on one of his greatest passions, coaching his three sons in basketball and soccer. He relished the role of Coach and took great joy in watching his sons and their friends grow and learn life lessons through sport. His passion for coaching also led him to coach freshman and junior varsity high school basketball teams at Bishop O’Connell High School and then at Langley High School.

In 1993, Phil started his next professional endeavor, building what eventually would become ePlus inc., a technology services company. Under his leadership, ePlus grew from a small family-owned business to a publicly listed company with a national footprint. Phil’s ability to understand both complicated finance and emerging technology enabled him to lead a business that started leasing mainframe computers and evolved to supplying and servicing data centers by the end of his business career. He relished the journey of creating a lasting business built on a foundation of hard work and integrity. Notwithstanding his professional success, and true to the coach in Phil, he most enjoyed the chance to help others develop professionally. He felt personally invested in supporting and pushing his friends and colleagues to reach their fullest potential. In recognition of his contribution to the region’s technology community, the Northern Virginia Technology Council honored Phil with its Hall of Fame award in 2022.

Of his many roles, it were those of husband, father, and grandfather that were his most cherished and important. Phil’s devotion to his wife, Patricia, was absolute. The unwavering strength of their marriage was the solid foundation on which they built their family, raised and nurtured their three sons, and doted upon their seven grandchildren. As a father, he was ever present as role model, coach, and supporter. As a grandfather, he made it his mission never to miss a game, school play, or any other life milestone. Caring for his family was his greatest happiness.

Phil was a devout Catholic and attended Mass weekly at St. Luke Catholic Church where was he was a parishioner since 1976. His strong moral code and deeply held values guided him in all aspects of his life. Both professionally and personally, he was a truly honorable man.

Phil is survived by his sons Phillip Gerald Norton, Jr. and his wife Michelle, Andrew Luke Norton, and Jeremiah O’Hear Norton and his wife Katherine. He will be forever remembered and loved by his seven grandchildren: Luke, Alexandra, Caroline, Norah, Catherine, P.J., and Teddy. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Anne Norton, his siblings Phyllis Ann Norton and Kevin Norton, and survived by his brother and sisters Patrick Norton, Karen Norton, and Ruth Ann Norton, as well as his nephew and many nieces.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 5th, at 11:00am at the Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22101. The family will host a reception immediately following Mass.