Charles Norcross

02/09/2001

Charles H. Norcross, 87, of 404 Walker St., North Adams, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, at the North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was admitted three weeks ago. Born in Pittsfield on Aug. 4, 1913, he was the son of Charles P. and Agnes (Jackson) Norcross. He attended the former Briggsville Elementary School and was a graduate of Drury High School, North Adams, with the Class of 1933. He worked after school at the former J.C. Penney store, North Adams, from 1931-33. He worked at the former Strong-Hewat Mill, Clarksburg, from 1933-44, and was employed from 1944-49 at the Coca-Cola Co., Pittsfield. He started his career in the auto business at the former O.W. Gevett Cadillac & Oldsmobile dealership in North Adams (which later became the former Gilmer Cadillac & Oldsmobile dealership) in 1949. He served as general manager of that firm until 1958 when it became the former O'Connell Cadillac & Oldsmobile dealership. He served as sales manager with that firm until 1959. He took a position with K-M Motors from 1959 and bought the firm later that year. He was the president of K-M Motors until his retirement in 1985 when he sold the business. He served with the former Massachusetts State Guard, 1941-46, and as captain and commanding officer, 1944-46. During his career he served as secretary, treasurer and former president of the Western Massachusetts AMC-Jeep-Renauilt Dealers Association for 15 years, he was president of the Northern Berkshire New Car Dealers Association for 21 years, former president of the Toyota Dealers Alliance and founding director of the Charles H. McCann School Automotive Division. Long active in area civic and political affairs, he was a member and former director for three years of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce and former vice president of special events. Active with the chamber for more than 35 years, he also served on the Fall Foliage Parade Committee for 17 years and in 1985 he and his wife, Jennie, were the grand marshals. He was president of the North Adams Taxpayers Association and former Northern Berkshire coordinator for former Mass. Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti. He was the primary force behind the highway turnaround at the intersection of Curran Highway and Hodges Crossroad. He was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams, where he served as co-chairman and founding member of the St. Francis Church Renovation Fund, former president of the Par-ish Council, chairman of the executive committee, chairman of the buildings and grounds committee and as a longtime usher. He was lay chairman for more than 20 years of the church's Catholic Charities drives. His wife, the former Jennie Mae Seeger, whom he married May 27, 1939, died Sept. 26, 1999. He leaves three sons, Charles P. Norcross of the state of Florida, William H. Norcross of North Adams and Robert W. Norcross of Clarksburg; a brother, George A. Norcross of Leesburg, Fla.; a sister, Florence Fischer of Clarksburg; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A brother, John C. Norcross, is deceased. Funeral services were held today, Feb. 12, 9:15 a.m., from the AugÃ©-San Soucie-Simmons Funeral Home, North Adams. A Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial followed in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. Calling hours were Sunday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Francis Church Renovation Fund, through the funeral home, 46 North Church St., North Adams, Mass. 01247.

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