Andy Norton passed away Friday December 20th,
2013, at 11:30pm, aged 57. He was preceded in death by his mother Marga Anni Bidgood, survived by his father Geoffrey Norton, sister Wendy and her husband Dan, sister Julie, niece Johanna her husband Dean and their three children; Chay, Jude, and Beau, niece Brandy and her husband Mark, nephew Ben and his son Maddox.
Andy was born on April 14th, 1956 in Leicester, England. As a teenager, he signed professional terms with Leicester City Football Club (soccer club); going on to win an FA Youth Cup Final Medal (the equivalent of winning The Rose Bowl). An automobile accident ended his career with Leicester at nineteen. After a spell with Torquay United, Andy found his way to the USA – where he remained for the next 34 years. Most of those years were spent right here in Santa Barbara, a town he loved and called home. Andy worked in construction as a project manager, over seeing multi-million dollar contracts.
He loved football (soccer), golf, cooking roast dinners, and arguing. He would argue that black was white and would never give an inch. A trait that frustrated but endeared him to his many friends. That same stubbornness and determination would aid him in his 13-year battle with cancer. For ninety-five percent of those years, Andy kicked cancer’s arse/ass like it was a football. He is now, and will forever be missed – never to be replaced.
In lieu of flowers, Andy requested donations be made to the Santa Barbara
Cancer Center. Also at his request, on Saturday January 11th at 2pm, close friends and family will gather at his favorite watering hole, for an almighty knees-up. Peace!
