A bowling icon and family man, Norton dies at 83

An article by Leslie Shepard    1 Comment

Whether it was at the helm of his Sea Ray or running one of his bowling alleys, Jack Norton let passion direct his course.

Norton, owner of Waterford Lanes in Waterford Township and Albion Country Lanes, passed away Saturday, July 23. He was 83.

An icon in the bowling industry throughout the Detroit area, Norton transformed Waterford’s Tru-Way Plaza from a ghost town into a flourishing strip center and renamed it Waterford Lakes Plaza.

“After he opened and remodeled Waterford Lanes, he would go in every day,” said his youngest daughter, Lori Pawl. “Even in his 80s, he was still working strong.”

Norton was in the bowling business for nearly 60 years. He formerly owned Redford Bowling and Trophy Sales, making it the first pro shop in the metro area back in the 1960s. He later purchased Milford Lanes, which he operated for nearly 20 years.

“He had been involved in bowling since he was a young man and created opportunities for many people in his life,” said Elaine Sabady, his companion for eight years. “He was kind to his employees and promoted the bowling industry.”

Apart from his notoriety in bowling circles, Norton reveled in charting his course on the open waters. He was an active member of the MacRay Yacht Club in Harrison Township, where he moored his 40-foot Sea Ray, the “Kids’ Money,” and cruised around Lake St. Clair.

“He loved to travel on his boat, like driving his Sea Ray to Mackinac Island or doing excursions with his yacht club,” Pawl said.

But it’s in the love for his family that Norton’s legacy lives on. He is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and their spouses, and seven great-grandchildren.

“No matter which one of us he was with, whether it was children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, he would always make each of us feel like the most special person of all,” said his eldest daughter, Cathie Shiek.

In the 1950s, Norton drove a Sanders Bakery delivery truck and parked it in his driveway every night. As an expression of affection, he would swing open the truck doors and invite his kids to choose any treat they wanted.

“He always said, ‘Let’s go see what’s for dessert,’” Shiek said. “It was very special.”

This past summer Norton attended a number of graduations and weddings with his family gathered around him.

“It it was kind of a nice farewell,” Sabady said. “He adored his family.”

The family will receive friends at the Riverside Chapel, Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home, located at 5630 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford tomorrow, Thursday, July 28, and Friday, July 29 from 3 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at the White Chapel Cemetery located at 621 W. Long Lake Road at Crooks Road in Troy at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 30. A luncheon will follow.

Memorials may be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute or the Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue.