Norman Kerton

Norman Kerton of West Milford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 5, 2026.

Norman was born in Paterson, the youngest of 5 boys, to Buell and Bessie Kerton. Norman grew up in Lincoln Park. He left high school to join the army, something he was very proud of. He spoke often of his time in Germany and England. While in the army, Norman learned how to run large machinery, skills that served him well in providing for his family.

When Norman returned to the states, he met and married Margaret, his loving wife of 60 years. Together they started their married life in Lincoln Park. With the arrival of their 3rd child, they moved their family to a larger home in Pequannock. They soon outgrew this home with the arrival of their 4th child, so they purchased a piece of property and designed and built their own home. Norman oversaw the construction, running machines and digging the foundation. As the children started to move out, they returned to Pequannock, where they lived for 30 years. In 2015, an opportunity arose and a move to Cape May was made. Norman loved Cape May, taking many walks in the neighborhood with his beloved pup, Maddie. Spending time by the Cape May ferry was another favorite pastime of his, as he enjoyed the peacefulness of the water and the ferries coming and going.

Norman was always a hard worker and loved working with his hands. In his early married years, he worked for the town of Lincoln Park. A career change led him into road construction, where he was able to use his skills as a heavy machinery operator. He actually paved his daughter's driveway, years before she owned the house. In the early '80s, a different career opportunity opened up, and Norman purchased his own big rig. Norman loved driving cross country, hauling oversized loads. Margaret and the kids would each get a turn on a trip, which was always a highlight of the summer. When Norman retired, he couldn't sit still, so he got a part time job at the senior citizen housing complex as a handyman.

In the late '70's, Norman was an excellent marksman, a member of the Riverdale Pistol Team, competing and winning trophies. Norman loved working on cars. His pride and joy was a '67 Chevy Camaro that he rebuilt inside and out. Norman shared his skills with his sons, helping them with their own cars whenever he could. Later on, Norman's hobby changed to computers. When his first Dell computer was just too slow to do what he wanted, he went and built his own. As technology changed, he would tweak his current computer or build another. He even became a computer game tester. 

Norman was predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret. Norman is survived by his children, Daryl Kerton and his wife Kirsten, Linda De Cumber and her husband Jon, and Shane Kerton and his fiancé Syrena Stanford. He is survived by his grandchildren Jevon Kerton, Bailey Kerton, Kiana Kerton, Jeremiah Kerton, Connor De Cumber, Mia De Cumber and Riley De Cumber.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.