LENOX, Mass. – Laurence E. Norton, 88, formerly of Partridge Road, Pittsfield, Mass., died Sunday, Sept. 25, at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center in Lenox, Mass., where he lived since 2003. Prior to moving to Kimball Farms, he lived in Pittsfield for more than 43 years.

Born on April 29, 1917, in Strong, he was a son of the late E. Spaulding Norton and the late Rosie F. Pike Norton Lees. He was also predeceased by his stepfather, John Lees. He was educated in Strong schools, where he was a 1934 graduate of Strong High School. In 1936, he graduated from the Coyne Electrical and Radio School in Chicago, Ill.

He married his wife, the former Crystal O. Withey, on Aug. 6, 1939, in New Vineyard; she died on Dec. 14, 2000.

He was employed at General Electric in Pittsfield in ordnance systems as a senior designer for 43 years; he retired in 1980.

He was a member of United Methodist Church of Lenox, Mass., and at one time was a very active member of the former Trinity Methodist Church of Pittsfield, where he sang bass in the choir for many years. He was also a member of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

He and his late wife enjoyed their retirement for 20 years in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they were members of Socastee United Methodist Church. He also enjoyed flowers, birds, reading and crossword puzzles. He was a gentle, kind and humble man who will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor.

He leaves a son, Allen E. Norton of Arlington, Texas; a daughter, Judith A. Rufo of Lenox, Mass.; six grandchildren, Sheryl Rufo Iodice, Krisann Rufo Bush, Bliss Rufo Nugent, Jeffrey Rufo, Kirstin Norton Jenkins and Jody Norton Blackwell; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his stepfather, John Lees; and by two brothers and a sister.

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