"He was a renowned physician whose patients just loved him. They felt very comfortable with him and he always treated them with dignity and respect," Father Whatley said.
"He was always a man of deep faith and was very charitable toward St. Mark's. He took care of many religious orders of woman and gave physicals at Mount St. Joe High School," he said. "He also went to various Catholic high schools, where he gave 'the talk.' "
He described Dr. Norton as a "snappy dresser" who was known for his collection of vivid plaid sports coats.
Family members said that Dr. Norton said his rosary daily and always tipped his hat when he passed by a church.
Dr. J. William Cook, a Catonsville internist, grew up with Dr. Norton's eight children and later became his personal physician.
"I so admired him and wanted to be like him, and that's why I went into medicine," Dr. Cook said. "He was unflappable, never excited, and always seemed to know what to do."
The Rev. Michael J. Roach, pastor of St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church in Manchester, is an old family friend of more than 50 years.
"He was a strikingly handsome tall man with wonderful white Irish skin," said Father Roach. "He also had the gift of being a gifted conversationalist. He really was a wonderful talker."
Dr. Norton enjoyed collecting coins and gemstones. He was also an avid Orioles fan and liked spending summers at a home he owned in Ocean City.
A Mass of Christian burial was offered Thursday at his church.
Also surviving are his wife of 64 years, the former Sally Mohler; three sons, John C. Norton III of Keedysville, Donald M. Norton of Baltimore and Kevin P. Norton of Catonsville; four other daughters, Lynn N. Partalis of Greensboro, Ga., Dorothy R. Roach of Towson, R. Ann Utocouto of Windsor Mill and Patricia J. Norton of Catonsville; 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
