Norman Edward Sutton died on March 11, 2021, after a short illness. He was born on September 23, 1926, in Fairmount, New Jersey to Lavanche and Austin Sutton. A WWII veteran, successful businessman and community leader, Norm was a cherished husband to his wife, Barbara, a beloved father to his children and their families, and dear friend to countless others.

Born in a farmhouse on Fox Hill near Califon, New Jersey, Norm was the younger brother of Donald and Leroy. His rural beginnings gave him an appreciation of farming and hard work which he carried with him throughout his life. After his primary education in a one-room schoolhouse, Norm went to High School in High Bridge where he was a shortstop on the baseball team and played soccer. In 1944, he enlisted in the army and was a part of the WWII occupation force in Japan. Norm returned home at 21 and together with his brother, Leroy, started a country store in Fairmount. It was there that he met the love of his life, Barbara Clinchy. While Barb was finishing up college and working in New York City, Norm moved on to take a job in sales for Coleman Chevrolet, the first step in what was to be his career in the automobile industry.

Barb and Norm dated for about a year before they decided that they should make it official, and on October 20, 1950, they were married by Barb’s uncle, Chuck Mead, before a small group of family and friends. They had an “extravagant” honeymoon at Niagra Falls (the motel cost $4 per night), the first of many, many trips they would take together all over the course of their 70-year marriage.

Early days together started in a small apartment in Flemington, moving to a house in Nixon Park, Metuchen. In 1951, Norm and Barb welcomed their first child, Alan, later moving to Whithouse where Alan was joined by Michael, Jeff, and Debbie, all delivered by Dr. Lou. In 1959, Norm and Barb moved the family to Massena, New York, when Norm opened the first VW Franchise in the region.

In Massena, the family developed their high tolerance for cold, and added Tim, the final member of the family. Norm had an opportunity to return home to New Jersey and purchased the VW Dealership in Flemington. In 1965, the family bought a rundown 19th century chicken farm on Pleasant Run Road which was eventually dubbed Idelot Farm. Norm ran the dealership in the daytime and, together with Barb, led the charge to restore the homestead after hours and on weekends.

The Sutton clan was a fun-loving and tight knit group. With kids ranging in age from 4 to 14, Norm and Barb managed to balance earning a living, raising a family, and renovating their home. Idelot Farm came to include a beautiful farmhouse, barns, fields, a pool — and was home to the Sutton family (as well as dogs, cats, horses, sheep, and the occasional rescued fawn) for 40 + years.

Whether at work or at play, Norm was always in motion. Norm loved golf, tennis, skiing, and especially horses, and was happiest when one or all of his kids was along with him. Norm was an avid equestrian and encouraged his children to share his passion by riding, cleaning stalls and pitching hay. He eventually became a competitive carriage driver. Buggy rides, sleigh rides, wedding carriages, and Santa’s Sleigh were all pulled by teams led by Norm and ferrying family and friends.

The neighborhood along Pleasant Run Road was an endless procession of children and their parents, and the Sutton homestead was the center of activity. The creek, barns, pool, rope swings, and broad fields were the perfect playground for the Sutton family. Barb was always ready to set another plate (or two or three) at the table for whoever happened to be there at mealtime. The Sutton home was filled with people and animals and love, with Norm and Barb as the welcoming hosts.

Meanwhile, Norm developed a thriving automobile business. Sutton VW-Porsche-Audi came to be one of the most successful dealerships in the region. As the business grew, Norm became more involved in community affairs, serving on the board of Town and Country Bank, and as a leader in the Flemington Rotary Club.

Their love of travel took the Suttons all over the United States. In 1967, the family took a month-long trip across the country in “Cloud 9,” a 30-ft motorhome that served as their base to discover America. The journey included an unforgettable stop at Disneyland, which had only just opened. In later years, Norm and Barb’s voyages included trips to Bermuda, Florida, Alaska, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The biggest excursion of all took place to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2000, when they treated the entire family, including nearly 20 persons with children and grandchildren, to a Disney Cruise and Disney World vacation – a once in a lifetime experience for all.

The richness and breadth of Norm Sutton’s life is impossible to capture. Ever since the Dodgers left Brooklyn, he was the Mets biggest fan, and his support for the team never faltered, even in the most dismal seasons. He found happiness in yard work and loved nature. He never lost his appreciation of the richness of life, even during its darkest days, and was always ready to hear a story or share one himself. But most of all, Norm loved Barb and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and created a family that will endure.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Life celebration services officiated by Certified Life Celebrant D.J. Wright, followed by burial in the family plot at Fairmount Cemetery, Fairmount, NJ, will take place privately. The family will be holding an outdoor gathering to celebrate Norm’s life when it is safe to do so; please check back on this page as that information will be posted when available.

It is important to remember that given the current state of the pandemic, masks must be worn at all times on funeral home grounds, and social distancing must be maintained. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival. It is also requested that you remember that only a certain number of people are allowed in the funeral home at any given time, so please remain cognizant of your time spent with the family so that others may express their love and support as well.

You are encouraged to visit Norman’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in Norm’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas PlaceMemphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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