Dave Norton, 65, Director of Physical Plant
From WGBH COO and Executive Vice President Ben Godley
Dear colleagues,
I have some very sad news to share with all of you. We learned earlier today that our friend and longtime colleague Dave Norton died early this morning after a brief illness. It only was a few months ago that ’GBHers gathered to thank Dave for his 33 years of service to the Foundation as Director of Physical Plant, and to wish him well in his retirement. Our sincere condolences go out to Dave’s entire family, especially his wife Mary and son Tim.
Dave joined WGBH in 1982, when our organization was located in five buildings and a warehouse on Western Avenue in Allston. He led our 2007 relocation to Brighton from start to finish, coordinating with the architects, space planners, and city and neighborhood players. In the years since our move, he helped us evolve our work spaces and bring in critical revenue through consolidation and a well-planned leasing program.
Dave was the heart of our physical plant operations, and that brought him into contact with hundreds and hundreds of ’GBHers. I share your deep shock at losing this valued colleague so suddenly.
Details on funeral services are not yet available but we will share them with you in QuickNoozonce confirmed.
In shared sadness,
Ben
From WGBH
A funeral for Dave Norton, former Director of Physical Plant, will take place this Fri, 10/23, at 9am from the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St in Norwood, with a service at 10am. Visiting hours will be tomorrow (Thurs, 10/22) from 4 to 8pm. Dave died early Monday morning after a brief illness. This past summer, he retired from WGBH after 33 years of dedicated service. Today’s Boston Globe includes Dave’s obituary, which offers information on memorial donations in his memory.
From the Boston Globe
NORTON, David J. Of Norwood passed away on Oct. 19, 2015 at the age of 65. Beloved husband of Mary S. (Tressel) Norton. Devoted father of Timothy D. Norton of Norwood. Brother of Arthur D. Norton and his wife Marie of CT, Marguerite “Marge” Walenten of Norwood and the late Thomas J. Norton. Brother-in-law of Janice Norton of Norton and Linda Iannaco of Quincy. Loving Uncle of Christopher Walenten and his wife Nancy of Norwood. Great Uncle of John and Tommy Walenten. Son of the late Thomas M. and Margaret D. (Duggan) Norton.
David was a retired Physical Plant Director for WGBH Television Station in Brighton working there for over 35 yrs. He also was the President and member of the Board of Directors for the Charles River Community Health Center.
Funeral from the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St., NORWOOD, Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at 9am followed by a funeral home service at 10am. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday Oct. 22, 2015 from 4-8pm. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery Norwood, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may b e made in his name to the American Diabetes Association
, 10 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
I was saddened and surprised to hear of Dave Norton’s death last week. I worked with Dave for many years at WGBH and greatly respected him. When I learned of his retirement last summer, I wrote to him:
“I greatly enjoyed our many years of working together, and also greatly admired all that you brought to WGBH. You have a rare combination of clear, rational, intelligent thinking, dedication to the cause, and hard work. You will be very difficult to replace….”
I appreciated Dave’s talents especially in my last three years at WGBH in 2001-2004. At that time I was working very closely with Dave, as we were first talking with Harvard about extending our lease on the studio building on Western Avenue, then negotiating with them about a sale of the WGBH campus, then searching for another suitable location in the Boston area and finally buying property, designing a new facility and building the current facility on Guest St.
Throughout this process Dave was usually two steps ahead of the rest of us, understanding complex issues, foreseeing potential problems and suggesting solutions. He was a fine man.