Obituary of Richard C. Norton

Richard “Rich” Conrad Norton, age 42, passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2017 at his home in Bangor. Rich was born on June 23, 1975 to Nancy E. Norton in Lewiston, Maine. He graduated from Narraguagus High School in 1993, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Maine Orono. Rich was a talented musician who starting showing his love for music at a very early age. He began playing the saxophone in 5th grade, and continued to play throughout high school and college, winning many state awards for his musical talents. His love for music did not end there. Rich formed a band known as FISHWHISTLE which became one of the most well-known bands in Eastern Maine. Although there were many different band members throughout the years, Rich remained the lead vocalist along with playing the saxophone and guitar. As one of his best friends said, “You can take the name FISHWHISTLE away, and call it Rich Norton’s band and people still would have known it as the same”. Along with Rich’s love for music was his love for production. He was the announcer for the first 90 episodes of The Nite Show which is hosted by one of his good friends, Dan Cashman. What Rich would really want to be known best for is his ability to put a smile on people’s faces. Whether this be through his 20 years of being in the social work field, working with children, or out in the community, Rich always put others before himself. Rich was pre-deceased by, his mother Nancy Eastman, his grandparents Leo & Mary Simmons, and his great-aunt Irene Wright, all of Addison, and his cousin Tyler Stephenson of Florida. He is survived by his brother, Buddy Bosse & his wife Angela of Searsport, his aunts, Norma Rolfe & her husband Allen of Addison, Noreen Baba & husband Mishie of Mundelein, IL, nephew Ryan Stoddard of Old Town, niece Kaylee Bosse of Harrington, & cousins Nicole Stephenson of Waldo, Akie Baba of Palatine, IL, Leo Chandler of Old Town, Yayoi Fugane of Tokyo, Japan, Rebecca Willey of Augusta, Hikari Baba of Buffalo Grove, IL, Allen Rolfe III of Addison, Seth Rolfe of Waldo and Alex Stephenson of Waldo. Over the years, Rich had also grown some very special freindships who need be mentioned. They are Charlie Mitchell and his wife Shona of Columbia, Lori Woodsome-Valley of Limerick, Yvonne Sinclair of Cherryfield, and Annie and Victor Sokoloski of Milbridge. Rich was also pre-deceased by his dog Tucker and survived by his cat Jackson and dog Emmi. A private ceremony for family and close friends will be held on Saturday, October 14th, followed by a Celebration of Life for Rich at the Seaworthy Event Center in Milbridge, ME beginning at 2pm. All are welcome to attend this Celebration of Life service as we share our memories of him.