NORWICH – Norton L. Endries, 96, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Norwich, died on June 8, 2008. He was born on Aug. 24, 1911 in Rotterdam Junction, and graduated from Sherburne Central School.
Nort began working in the grocery business for his father in Smyrna, and stayed with that business throughout his working life. In 1930 he started with A&P Supermarkets in Albany, returned to Smyrna to again work for his father and was hired by Victory Markets of Norwich in 1934. He spent his career with Victory as manager of progressively larger and more modern stores. First assigned to the Edmeston store, he transferred in 1944 to Norwich, where he spent the balance of his career until retiring in 1973.
He witnessed great changes in the grocery business. In his early years, a customer would come in with a grocery list, he would find the needed items, bring them to the counter, add up the prices in pencil on the outside of the bag and bag them. He handled all aspects of the work from ordering his stock from the Victory headquarters, unloading and placing the merchandise in the store when it was delivered and cutting meat to order. Noted for the speed at which he could add columns of figures, he had a phenomenal memory for the prices of all the products in the store. Hours were long. At the end of his career the store he managed had nine registers, and many employees, including meat and produce managers. Respected by employees, he knew many of his customers and they knew him. He was never too busy for a friendly word.
Active in the community, he was a member and past officer of the Elks and Kiwanis. As a volunteer fireman, there was a major conflagration at the closed Maydole Hammer Company and he was seen fighting the fire while still wearing his apron from the store.
Nort married Alice Simons of Smyrna, on July 5, 1934. Together, they raised a family and were active in the Norwich community. She died March 19, 1986.
He married Ida Lyonnais, who survives, in St. Petersburg, Fla., on June 22, 1987.
He is also survived by children: Robert (Emily) of Newtown, Pa., David (Linda) of Charlotte, N.C., John (Anne) of Manlius, and Jill Wickham of Clinton, several stepchildren, a niece and nephew, and a blended family of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His sister, Marion Dougherty, predeceased him.
Burial will be at Sherburne West Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
Local arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.