Financial exec helped nonprofits

Philip Norris / 1928-2007

Philip Norris, a retired financial executive and community volunteer, died Saturday of a brain hemorrhage. He was 78.

Norris spent most of his free time volunteering at nonprofit organizations, including the Honolulu Rotary, YMCA and Hawaiian Humane Society. He served at more than 50 organizations, his longtime friend Larry Johnson said yesterday.

"He was a dear friend to many people," Johnson said. "He had a wonderful sense of humor, and he was a great storyteller."

Johnson, who had known Norris for more than 40 years, said the former Marine pilot came to Hawaii in the 1950s and stayed, barring vacations, for the rest of his life. He was born in New York and raised in the South, Johnson said.

A graduate of Claremont Men's College, Norris began his career as a stockbroker with Dean Witter & Co. in 1960. He spent most of his years with E.F. Hutton and was its Hawaii manager for a decade. The last several years of his financial career were spent at Prudential Securities.

He had been retired for about 12 years, Johnson said, and spent most of his time volunteering or with friends in Hawaii and on the mainland.

Norris is survived by his children, Ashley Coats of New Zealand, Susan Bradford of California and Blair Norris of Honolulu. He had eight grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday at the Outrigger Canoe Club.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Hawaiian Humane Society.