Robert "Corky" H. Norton

Robert “Corky” Norton, age 69, of Dublin, OH, formerly of Beavercreek, OH and a native of Ashtabula, OH, was born into eternal life on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 in Columbus. He lived a life full of joy, love, faith and kindness.

Corky was born in Ashtabula to his parents Bob and Jane Norton and grew up on Plymouth Road with his siblings Jane, Michael, Molly and Patrick. He attended school at St. Joseph Elementary and Ashtabula High School before heading off to college. It was during his time at Kent State University that he began hanging out and playing softball with a group of guys, that would turn out to be lifelong friends, known as the Gashouse Gang. It was also during that time, that Corky met Mary Agnes, the little sister of his friend Lenny, and fell in love. They were married in Ashtabula and had their first child, Erin, before moving their small family to Maryland, where Corky worked at Westinghouse and earned his Masters degree in Engineering. It was in Maryland that they had two more children, Kelly and Annie. They enjoyed Maryland and made many great friends, but wanted to move closer to family and home, and so Corky and Aggie moved the kids to Beavercreek, OH to start a job with SAIC. Corky worked as a civilian contractor with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for more than 30 years, on various aviation and defense projects.

As the “cluster” family, they traveled to Ashtabula for holidays, Gashouse reunions and many other good times with the Norton and Peaspanen families and all of their good friends. Corky and Aggie raised their three kids in Beavercreek as members of St. Luke Parish, sending all the kids to school there and Carroll High School. Corky was always actively involved in the kids sports and activities and loved coaching and watching them, while socializing with the other parents. He loved to take his family on camping trips, soccer travel trips, trips to Cooperstown and any and everywhere they were willing.

Over the past seven years, he became the proud Papa of four beautiful grandchildren, Brennan, Lucy, Brigid and Maren. He was the baby whisperer and could never resist the urge to scoop them up and show them around, make his famous chocolate chip pancakes for them, and shower them with kisses and smiles. He had such joy with them.

He loved traveling, reading, camping, watching soccer, reading the WSJ, listening to music, meeting people and spending time with his family and friends. More than anything, he loved to spend time with his beloved Mary Agnes, hobnobbing around town and new places, sipping coffee and laughing with her. He loved her so dearly.

He was a great husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend and many other things to many other people. He had the kindest heart, a gregarious spirit and a genuine love and interest for all people. He touched the lives of everyone he met, and never asked anything for himself.

Corky is survived by his beloved wife Mary, his children Erin True, Kelly (Sara) Norton and Annie (Tim) Kenney, his siblings Jane (Marty Robinson) Norton, Michael Norton, Molly Norton and Patrick Norton, his joyful grandchildren Brennan, Brigid and Maren Norton and Lucy True, and his Aunt Mary Lou Fiebiger, as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and relatives.

Visitation hours will be held 2:00-4:00p.m. SUNDAY at the TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard, OH 43026 (614)-876-1722. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00a.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019 at ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, OH 43017 with The Reverend Matthew Morris, Celebrant. Burial will be held this Spring or Early Summer at Plymouth Township Cemetery, Ashtabula, OH, with details to be forthcoming at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Behavioral Health Care, 700 Childrens Drive, Columbus, OH 43205 and St. Brigid of Kildare School Endowment Fund, 7179 Avery Rd., Dublin, OH 43017.

“Jesus, I trust in You!”

xoxoxo