I have known Neil for a very long time, and had great respect and admiration for him.
In my time in the navy, I sailed on many destroyers and Chesty Norton was among my favorite Commanding Officers.
In 1992, he paid me a visit at my home in
I’m not sure why Neil and I got along so well. Maybe it was because I quickly realized what a truly interesting character he was. Maybe it was because he managed to tolerate me.
In his presence, I could never bring myself to call him Neil or Chesty – much to his annoyance in later years. Out of sight I could call him those names or the Old Man – or even on occasion when he would pipe me to the bridge or his cabin and I would think God, What does the old bastard want with me now?
But never to his face. I always called him sir or Commander. I think in my mind that was because of my respect for him.
In any event, we quickly came to an understanding. He would not tell me how to practice medicine, and I wouldn’t tell him how to run his ship – and we became fast friends.
The late American President- John Kennedy - was quoted in a speech in which he said –
“I don’t know what it is about the sea that draws those of us who served in the Navy back to it.
Maybe it is the vastness of the ocean, or it’s ever changing colors but all of us are drawn to the sea.
Maybe it’s because we all originally came from the sea. And all of us have in our blood flowing through our veins the exact same percentage of salt that exists in the ocean
And when we come back to the sea whether to look at it or sail on it – we are going back from whence we came”
So it is altogether fitting that we gather here today – beside the sea – to celebrate the life of Neil Norton.
This ceremony illuminates a simple truth; here was a man who truly loved his profession – a professional sailor who was very good at his job.
In my mind, he exemplified leadership. I will give you one illustration of that – a story that I have heard many times – after Kootenay, he was given command of HMCS Saskatchewan. And inevitably, the ship had to undergo a full power trial to work up to full speed.
Chesty turned over the conn to his XO – never said a word – but quietly went below to the engine room spaces – and put his arm on the starboard gearbox and stayed there during the whole trial.
I will bet you that word of that went throughout the ship and the fleet like wildfire – and given his history on Kootenay – I’ll bet no one ever looked at Commander Norton the same way afterwards.
If that doesn’t define determined leadership than I don’t know anything about the definition of that word. All of us associated with the Kootenay story have fond memories of this man. The love and respect of this crew for Neil Norton is truly remarkable.
In life we cherished him, and we will miss him.
May God bless Neil Norton and his family.
Thank you very much.
Written by
Dr. JJ Homer - October 21, 2011
(Surgeon Lieutenant – RCN – Retired)