Rowland R. Norris Jr.

Rowland R. Norris, Jr
September 24th, 1949 – April 17th, 2025
We celebrate the life of Rowland R. Norris, Jr., devoted husband, loving father, brother, grandfather and friend of Phoenix, NY who passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday, April 17th.

He was born on September 24th , 1949 to his parents Dorthy Ann Norris (Robertson) and Rowland R. Norris, Sr. in Philadelphia, PA.
Rowland grew up boating with his family on the East Coast, surfing at the Jersey Shore and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. He proudly served his country through the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam from February 1968 through September 1969. Upon his return, he was reunited with the love of his life, Joanne Marie McGonigle and were married in Ocean City, MD in October 1971. Together with their young family, they moved to Central New York to enjoy the countryside, settling on several acres in rural Phoenix.

Rowland was a self- employed electrician for most of his working life and an avid fisherman on weekends, hosting guests on his Lake Ontario salmon based fishing charter,
TGIF- Thank God I’m Fishing. He was a passionate patriot who loved raising his family in the country, alongside great neighbors, snowmobiling in the abundant lake effect winters and spending summers boating on the lake. He was an avid reader, loved history, science fiction, researching new hobbies and developing new skills, especially around technology. In retirement, Rowland and Joanne first set off West to experience our great country. Later, their renewed love of sailing inspired them to voyage from Sodus Bay, NY to their favorite place, St. Augustine, Florida. He enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids in NY and OH. Rowland, an entrepreneur, adventurer, hobbyist, craftsman, reader, fisherman, sailor, patriot and above all, man of faith, will be missed.

Reunited eternally now with Joanne as well as his parents Dorthy and Rowland. Survived by his brother, Donald Norris (Barbara), his children, Rowland R. Norris, III (Rose), April N. Sanfilippo, (Ravi) and Christina N. Caples (Jason) along with his ten grandchildren, Bridgette, Quinn, Stephen, Kai, Gideon, Manny, Nate, Jordyn, Taylor and Joanna.

Visitation will be held at Traub Funeral Home, Central Square, NY on Friday, May 2nd from 11am - 12pm ending in a service, followed by procession to Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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