Phillip was born in Portland, Maine. He had two natural brothers, Maurice Knowles and Richard Eaton. When his mother Sybil died from placenta previa having Phillip, the three boys were separated. Maurice was five and went to live with his father's ex-wife until the money from his grandfather, Edwin Eaton, ran out. Then he was placed in a boy's home, Opportunity Farm, which he left when he was 15 to earn his high school diploma and join the Army. Richard was adopted by Sybil's cousin, James Eaton and his wife, in Lubec, Maine. Phillip was adopted by Patrick and Edith Norton. Patrick was a Portland policeman. Phillip didn't find his brothers until 1978. He knew about Maurice but was surprised to find he had a second brother, Richard. Phillip graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Administration of Justice. He enjoyed a lengthy career with the San Jose Police Department before graduating from Santa Clara University Law School in 1976. For six years, he kept the midnight oil burning as both a police lieutenant and a Union and Labor Law Attorney. He retired to the home he began building in 1988 in Truckee, CA. In 1997 he sold his mountain home due to health problems, and moved to Granite Bay, CA. At the time his death, he was living in Rocklin, CA with his wife of 64 years, Joyce Fuller Norton. Phillip is buried with his natural mother, Sybil May Eaton Knowles, his aunt, Hazel Reis and his grandparents, Jenny and Edwin Eaton.
Phillip was born in Portland, Maine. He had two natural brothers, Maurice Knowles and Richard Eaton. When his mother Sybil died from placenta previa having Phillip, the three boys were separated. Maurice was five and went to live with his father's ex-wife until the money from his grandfather, Edwin Eaton, ran out. Then he was placed in a boy's home, Opportunity Farm, which he left when he was 15 to earn his high school diploma and join the Army. Richard was adopted by Sybil's cousin, James Eaton and his wife, in Lubec, Maine. Phillip was adopted by Patrick and Edith Norton. Patrick was a Portland policeman. Phillip didn't find his brothers until 1978. He knew about Maurice but was surprised to find he had a second brother, Richard. Phillip graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Administration of Justice. He enjoyed a lengthy career with the San Jose Police Department before graduating from Santa Clara University Law School in 1976. For six years, he kept the midnight oil burning as both a police lieutenant and a Union and Labor Law Attorney. He retired to the home he began building in 1988 in Truckee, CA. In 1997 he sold his mountain home due to health problems, and moved to Granite Bay, CA. At the time his death, he was living in Rocklin, CA with his wife of 64 years, Joyce Fuller Norton. Phillip is buried with his natural mother, Sybil May Eaton Knowles, his aunt, Hazel Reis and his grandparents, Jenny and Edwin Eaton.
Inscription
Son of Sybil Phillip O. Norton (Knowles) Aug. 5, 1934 to Apr. 22, 2019
PHILLIP OWEN "PHIL" KNOWLES-NORTON, J.D.
Gravesite Details
The gravesite is maintained by Julia Ellsworth
