Vincent Joseph Norton

In Loving Memory of Vinny Norton

Vincent Joseph Norton, Vinny, was the kind of man you don’t come across often — steady, kind, hardworking, and full of heart. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, a proud and fun-loving grandfather, a caring son and brother, a loyal friend and a wonderful neighbor. To know him was to feel supported, welcomed, and valued.

From an early age, Vinny carried a spirit of adventure that would shape his life. Inspired by the voyage of the Kon-Tiki, he once set out across Jamaica Bay in a steel drum, determined to make his own journey on open water. On another occasion, fueled by bold curiosity, he tried to hitch a ride on a plane by walking onto the runways of Idlewild Airport — now JFK — already reaching beyond the horizon in his imagination.

Vinny was named after Vincent van Gogh, his mother’s favorite painter. It turned out to be a fitting name. He was graced with a natural artistic gift that showed itself in his drawings, his craftsmanship, and later his gardening. He could see beauty where others saw only space and had the patience and skill to bring that vision to life. While he successfully passed down his sense of adventure, his remarkable artistry has, at least for now, skipped a generation — something his children readily admit with a smile

Family was everything to Vinny. He loved deeply and showed it in the quiet, constant ways he showed up every single day. As a husband, he was a steadfast and loving partner. As a father, he led with patience, strength, and example. He taught his children the value of hard work, integrity, and kindness simply by living those values himself. Whether it was a holiday table, a crowded game day, a birthday celebration, a day at the beach or an unplanned visit, he found joy simply in being together with his family, including all of his brothers and sisters and other extended family.

His early sense of adventure carried naturally into fatherhood. He led his children on backyard and woodland expeditions — trailblazing through the woods, usually with the goal of crossing some form of water and searching out the best and tallest climbing trees. On the beaches of Fire Island and the East End, he taught them how to ride ocean waves and know just when to take off. Adventures always ended with his girls exhausted, covered in mud and filled with joy. But adventure was not just an occasional activity; it was a way of seeing the world and inviting his children to see it the same way.

Athletics were another part of Vinny’s life that he eagerly shared. Among other skills, he taught his daughters how to throw, catch, and hit — first with a broomstick using the back of his car as a backstop and later with a proper bat. According to a son-in-law, those early lessons created quite the contact hitter. He also coached one of his daughters’ travel soccer teams, investing his time and energy into helping the girls improve their skills, build confidence, and understand the value of teamwork and persistence. Whether in the backyard or on the field, he was always teaching, encouraging, and quietly pushing them to be their best.

Vinny had a deep love for animals and a natural gentleness that they seemed to recognize instantly. Pets were a constant presence in his life and brought him a multitude of constant, loyal companions. Abandoned pets and neighborhood cats seemed to find their way to him, and many stayed, following him around as if they instinctively knew they were now safe. Over time, his yard became something of a living menagerie. Hawks nested and successfully raised young. Opossums, raccoons, wild turkeys, pheasants, the occasional fox, frogs, turtles and deer regularly passed through, lingering comfortably in the environment he created. It was as though the wildlife recognized in him the same quiet kindness that people did.

Vinny’s backyard was not only a sanctuary for his family and local wildlife but a gathering place for the neighborhood. He introduced local kids to the old games he had grown up playing, including spirited rounds of Ringolevio. Under his detailed explanations of the rules, what began as a simple game often stretched into multi-day neighborhood wide competitions, filled with strategy, teamwork, and laughter. He had a way of making even the simplest pastime feel epic.

Becoming a grandfather brought him a special kind of joy. He loved to laugh with his grandchildren, entertain them, tell stories, and make them the perfect ice cream sundaes. The sound of their laughter in his yard was one of his greatest pleasures. In his later years, he created his own natural wonderland in that backyard — complete with winding paths, imaginative spaces, and even a rollercoaster that sometimes ended in a pond — determined to pass on his love of the outdoors, exploration and wonder to the next generation.

A self-taught gardener, he poured his heart into his backyard and transformed it into something extraordinary. It wasn’t just landscaping — it was his sanctuary. His yard became like a park, a place where family gathered, neighbors stopped by, conversations lingered, and memories were made. It reflected who he was: welcoming, generous, and full of quiet beauty.

Vinny was a hard worker who never complained. He provided for his family with pride and gave to others without hesitation. If someone needed help, he was there. If something needed fixing, he figured it out. If someone needed encouragement, he gave it. He didn’t look for recognition — he simply did what was right.

The world would truly be a better place if there were more people like Vinny Norton.

He leaves behind a family who adored him, neighbors who appreciated his helping hand and welcoming demeanor, friends who relied on him and a lifetime of love that will never fade. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory lives on in muddy sneakers, strong swings at the plate, carefully tended gardens, and grandchildren who now expect their sundaes done properly. He showed us how to live with kindness, curiosity, and quiet strength — and that is how we will remember him.

Forever loved. Forever remembered.