David Alan Norton died April 1 at his home with his wife, two daughters and sister by his side after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

The son of Samuel Bailey Norton Jr., and the late Phoebe Havener Norton, David was born in Warren, Ohio on Oct. 20, 1948. He spent his younger years in South Hadley, graduating in 1967 from Williston Academy. He then attended the University of South Carolina.

David later moved to Martha's Vineyard, the home of several generations of Nortons. Being an 11th-generation Norton to live on the Vineyard gave him a great sense of pride. It was also there where he met his wife of 25 years, Christiane.

In 1987, David returned to the western Massachusetts area, settling in Amherst with his wife and two daughters. David had a very successful career in the hotel and food service industry.

For the last 18 years he was employed by Mount Holyoke College, most recently as purchasing manager for dining services. It was a position to which he was extremely dedicated and one which he fulfilled with passion and joy. He will forever be remembered for his unflinching integrity, honesty, kindness and overwhelming generosity toward everyone he met. He cared greatly about the people in his life and the natural world around him. He enjoyed sharing his passion for cooking, fishing and music with his family and friends, ever eager to teach and inspire. He sought to continue learning at every opportunity, to challenge people's beliefs and opinions and above all to never lose his sense of humor.

David is predeceased by his mother, Phoebe and his brother, Samuel.

Survivors include his wife, Christiane; his two daughters, Amanda and Vanessa and her husband Brian; his father, Bailey and stepmother, Joan; his sister Nancy; his grandson Samuel; and aunts, uncles, cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Thursday in Abbey Chapel at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley.

Donations in David's name may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Holyoke, P.O. Box 6256, Holyoke MA 01041. The Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst handled arrangements.