Geoffrey Edward Norton

NORTON, Geoffrey Edward, age 83, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2021 at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, Ontario. He was born on May 9, 1937 to Arthur (Earnest) and Grace (nee Woodhouse) Norton in Bridgwater, Somerset UK.

Geoff married Marion (Standley) on September 15, 1962, they had three children: Andrea (deceased 1963), Beverly and Bradley. Family was extremely important to Geoff, and he loved busy holiday gatherings, especially when the house was full of the ones he loved. He was a proud Poppa who attended countless recitals, dance competitions, graduations, basketball games, and was looking forward to his new role as Great-Poppa.

Geoff was a graduate of the Union of Education Institutions with a certificate in Mechanical Engineering in the UK and continued his education in Facilities Maintenance in Canada. He began his career with an electrical apprenticeship in England in the manufacturing and nuclear power sectors and became Director of Maintenance and Engineering for various hospitals and pharmaceutical companies in Kitchener, Mississauga, Scarborough, Markham and Stouffville. Upon retirement, he started his own electrical business to ensure his family and friends’ electrical requirements were met, and that they were safe. Most often, parts and labour were “on the house.”

He was a member of Northridge Community Church and the Salvation Army brass band community. He held many positions as Band Master in the UK and Canada. His musical ability was recognized as he played in the Salvation Army’s prestigious Canadian Staff Band. He was a compassionate music teacher to youth throughout the years and faithfully supported the Salvation Army music camp program, spending his summer vacations teaching, encouraging and mentoring. One of his proudest accomplishments, and the highlight of his banding and leadership career was, as Band Master of the Salvation Army Heritage Brass Band, touring extensively and bringing incredible music back to his homeland of the UK.

Geoff is pre-deceased by his parents Earnest and Grace, his sisters Enid, Olive and Myrtle and his brother Ron (Elsie, deceased). He is treasured and greatly missed by his wife, Marion, daughter Beverly (Blake Aspden), son Bradley (Kimm), sister May Mounsher (Malcolm, deceased) and brother-in-law John Priddle. His grandchildren, Allie, Geoff, Olivia, Katherine, Haleigh, and great-grand daughter Sophia will miss his gentle guidance and silly sense of humour. Uncle Geoff will be missed by his nieces Joy Dickinson and Lynn Owens, and nephews Carlton Mounsher, Lyndon Mounsher, Hayden Mounsher, Railton Mounsher and their spouses, as well as other extended family throughout the UK.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up the Geoffrey E Norton Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will award a financial grant to a post-secondary student studying music. Kindly click on this link to learn more about the scholarship:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-geoffrey-e-norton-memorial-scholarship-fund

Donations can also be made to the building fund of the Northridge Community Church of the Salvation Army, and Southlake Regional Health Centre.