David Norris, 81, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away at Hospice by the Sea on April 8, 2026.

Born November 12, 1944, in Huntington, West Virginia, David grew up in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Lower Merion High School. In those years, he proudly played trombone in State Band and band summer camp. At Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, his love of music shifted to spinning records at the college radio station. It was at the station that he met his future wife, Julia, their blind date arranged by mutual friends.

Following graduation, David’s first job was as a DJ at a West Hartford, CT, country music station. He moved to a news position at another station but was shortly let go because the general manager didn’t like his voice. Desperate to find work, he applied everywhere, finding an entry level job in the trust department of a local bank. That set the direction of his working career. While living in and around New Haven, he became a portfolio manager and worked his way up through a number of institutions in Connecticut and New York City, while earning the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential. In 1992, he and Julia moved to Boca Raton to escape the winters and air pollution of Connecticut. His career as an investment advisor continued at various financial institutions in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and, from home, New Haven. Clients often became good friends who remained with him for decades, following him from institution to institution. He loved his work and only as his health was failing at the end of 2025 he reluctantly entrust his client accounts to his colleague.

For over three decades, David was an active member of the board of directors of the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation in Maine where he learned to love Maine. He was engaged in all aspects of the foundation’s work, serving as its treasurer, chairing its investment committee and reviewing and approving grants. He also took a particularly keen interest in the foundation’s grantees, traveling to Maine frequently to visit grantee organizations and to learn how the foundation could best support their work. Through the foundation, David championed numerous environmental, animal welfare and social services programs benefiting Maine. David personally benefited from the perspective he gained on the lives of people very different from his own and the challenges they faced. He also cultivated many lasting friendships with his fellow directors, foundation staff and grantees across the state.

David’s financial knowledge and skills also served the community in Boca Raton. He was instrumental in organizing the Investment Committee of the Boca Raton Historical Society in 2016. He played a vital role in establishing a robust program for managing their funds, guiding them from their renovation period through today's challenges. The Society will deeply miss his expertise and wise counsel.

From 1996 to 2002 David was a trustee of the City of Boca Raton General Employee’s Pension Plan, where he helped ensure that the interests of the employees were protected.

David was an avid golfer, but he temporarily gave it up in 1983 when he and Julia bought their first sailboat, which they cruised in Long Island Sound and beyond. He and a group of friends taught themselves to race competitively and won many trophies. The trophy that meant the most to David was the lowly Fourth Class – B in the 1988 Great New London Ocean Race, for the challenges surmounted in that overnight race. With the same friends, David and Julia enjoyed cruising the small towns and harbors of Connecticut, Long Island, and Rhode Island. Whether cruising or racing, they always enjoyed good food and wine.

David returned to golf when he moved to Florida. The trophies he was most proud of were The Country Club of Boca Raton 2008 Men’s Championship 1st Flight Gross, and the New Haven Country Club 66th Annual Member-Guest Flight Winners.

His lifelong love of music was reflected in an extensive collection spanning classical, rock and other genres he found interesting. Music filled his home; he even took battery-powered speakers on family vacations for music at every opportunity.

David enjoyed cooking for and dining with friends. He took particular pleasure in finding new restaurants to try, especially a cuisine that was new to him. At home, he took on planning, shopping and preparing dinner for Julia, reasoning that she had done that for him for 25 years and it was his turn. For company, however, they often cooked together.

David made friends everywhere, from the marina to the beach at St Barth to the golf course to the office to the back room of a pub in Lahinch, Ireland. He was known for his sometimes-off-kilter sense of humor. He enjoyed being a little subversive – for instance, always wearing a bow tie to the office, selected from his colorful collection of 72. As a member of the Tuesday Lunch Group he was recognized in 2006 as King of the Iguanas and in 2009 as Lunchman of the Year.

David will always be remembered with much love by his beloved wife, Julia, of 58 years; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joan Burroughs and Paul Hanle, of Washington, DC, who spent countless hours delighting in his company, wine and music; and his nephew and niece John and Juliana Hanle, of Washington, DC and West Park, NY, respectively, who cared deeply for their charming, irreverent uncle.

A Celebration of Life will be held.

Donations may be made in the memory of David Norris to the Friends of the Everglades.

Professional arrangements by Gary Panoch Funeral Home & Cremations, 6140 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL (561) 997-8580.

www.gpanochfuneral.com