Manus Norton

Manus E. Norton, age 83, of Greenville, passed away Friday morning, October 12, 2012 at Spectrum Health-United Hospital Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Greenville. The son of a Danish mother, Hilda Sophia (Hansen), and an Irish father, Manus Edward Norton, Sr., he was born on April 21, 1929 in Greenville and grew up in Trufant. He graduated from Lakeview High School and on Nov. 29, 1958, in Cadillac, he married Patricia Lois Munson. For many years Manus worked as the office manager for UAW Local 137 at the former Gibson Refrigerator Co. and in retirement worked part-time as a travel agent for Connections Travel in downtown Greenville a job he truly enjoyed that allowed him to help plan and organize trips and vacations for others. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, and had many other varied interests and hobbies. A published author, Manus wrote the book Domenic-Oh: Race Horse of the Sky which was based on his retirement hobby of racing pigeons with his good friend, Dr. Domenico Dom Ausiello. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Elizabeth Jane Betty Norton-Wilson on October 1, 1997. Surviving are his wife of nearly 54 years, Pat Norton of Greenville; their daughter, Mindy Norton of Mt. Pleasant; a niece, Mary Nielsen-Towers of Greenville; a nephew, Jim & Bonnie Wilson of Midland; three great nephews and a great niece, Eric & Brianne Wilson, Chad & Shannon Wilson, Larry Nielsen, and Tara & Jim Babbitt; three great-great nephews, Trevor Nielsen, Mitchell Babbitt, and Jack Babbitt; two great-great nieces, Elizabeth Nielsen and Lilly Babbitt; and many, many dear friends including Ted Cowles. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved and knew him. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Manus Norton, please visit our flower store.