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.

 

Norante is
survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara, four children: Nicholas
Norante Jr. of Butler, PA, Christine (Robert) Weyant of Wexford, PA,
Frank (J. J.) Norante of Minneapolis, MN, and Virginia (Tod) Schmidt of
Twinsburg, OH, and three grandchildren.  He is also survived by two
sisters: Genevieve Norante of Rahway, NJ, and Louise (Mero) Nocenti of
Franklin Lakes, NJ, and one brother, John Norante of Rochester, NY.