Nicholas J. Norante of Butler, PA, passed away Monday, March 26, 2007, from complications resulting from asbestosis. He was 82.
Norante graduated from Rutgers University in 1949 with a BS degree in ceramic engineering, and joined Stupakoff Ceramic Company, Latrobe, PA until 1952. He returned to Rutgers, and in 1953 was awarded an MS degree in ceramic engineering. He then returned to Stupakoff (purchased by Carborundum Company) until 1972, when he joined Du-Co Ceramics Company. Upon his retirement from Du-Co in 2005, he was vice president in charge of marketing. He was a member of the American Ceramic Society for over 50 years, and was well liked by all who knew him.
Norante served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater from 1943-45.