Norman Bruce Horton

Norman Bruce Horton, of Southbury and formerly of New Canaan, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2018, one day after his 88th birthday.

Bruce was born on Long Island, New York to Daniel Tucker Horton and Anna Tull Horton, and grew up in the village of East Norwich. The youngest of six, Bruce loved all the activity of a large family. Much of his youth was spent learning carpentry, and caring for dogs and especially horses, for which he had a lifelong passion.

He hitchhiked across the country to join the Air Force in California, and soon afterward was sent to Tripoli, Libya during the Korean War. Before his departure, he asked his hometown sweetheart Jane Woods if she would marry him upon his return. They married in 1952 and bought their first home in Carle Place, New York, where their neighbors became like family. Later they became devoted parents to daughters Nancy and Barbara, who they raised in New Canaan, Connecticut.

After leaving the Air Force, Bruce worked for Ebasco Services in New York City as a transportation agent, which led to a career in the travel industry. Bruce was Vice President of the Bankers Trust Company in New York City where he was responsible for corporate and personal travel for bank officers. In 1977, he opened Horton Travel Service, Inc. with offices at 10 Rockefeller Plaza. His clientele and enthusiasm for travel sent him around the world, often with Jane, his daughters and niece Betty Kemp by his side. Bruce also enjoyed his time volunteering at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding which offers equine therapy for disabled riders. He was a member of the New Canaan Men’s Club, and was an involved member of the Congregational Church of New Canaan.

After retirement, Bruce and Jane moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he found immense joy in visits from his grandchildren Molly and Tucker Morris, and Isabel and Julia Thorstad. He was a member of the Osterville Men’s Club, and also resumed oil painting (a hobby from his earlier years). Some years after Jane's passing in 2001, Bruce moved to Woodbury, Connecticut and more recently to a senior living residence in Southbury. He joined the Woodbury United Methodist Church where he had a wonderful circle of friends, including dear Dorothy Morosco who passed away in October 2017.

Bruce is survived by his daughter Nancy and son-in-law Jake Morris and their children Molly Elizabeth and Tucker Roundtree; his daughter Barbara and son-in-law Jim Thorstad and their children Isabel Anna and Julia Elise; and the many nieces, nephews and cousins he adored. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and his beloved wife Jane.

A celebration of Bruce's life will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the New Canaan Congregational Church on God's Acre, 23 Park Street, New Canaan, Connecticut, with Reverend Dr. Stephen Chapin Garner officiating along with guest Pastor John Thomason of the Woodbury United Methodist Church. Munson Lovetere Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. 

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