Jack Robert Norris

Feb. 28, 1946 – Oct. 10, 2026

Jack Robert Norris, 80, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 10, 2026. He was a husband, father, grandfather, and man of faith whose presence filled every room he entered.

Jack grew up in Northeast, Pa., with his parents Robert and Lois and his sister Sally. He was a gifted athlete in football, track and field and basketball. A full academic scholarship brought him to the University of Louisville where he met Louise Spragens, the love of his life and his wife of 58 years.

Jack and Louise settled in Pittsburgh, where he built a prominent career in commercial real estate and left a lasting mark on the city’s skyline and market. He retired after leading CBRE Pittsburgh for many years. He gave generously of his time and leadership, serving on the boards of the National Kidney Foundation, Catholic Charities, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and the Quaker Valley School District.

Jack was a man with no low gear. He drove fast, worked hard, loved a good negotiation, and lived life to the fullest alongside his family. At 6 feet, 8 inches, his physical presence matched his strength and his protective nature. Jack never did anything small, and he liked the world around him to match his size: a big family, a big house, big cars, and even a big cat. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened, and when his eyebrow went up, everyone knew something was about to happen.

His great passion was boating. In the Pittsburgh years, every weekend he gathered the whole family into a caravan of vehicles bound for Lake Erie, where they spent the weekend on the water. His children were his crew, watching for dangers in the water and police on the road. In 2013, Jack and Louise moved to the North Fork of Long Island, where he enjoyed retirement, his boat on the Bay, and time with his children and grandchildren nearby.

Jack lived his faith in Jesus boldly and in action. He was a protector, a guide, a shining light, and a wise leader with a gentle heart. He could be tough, but with his family he was jelly. He loved Louise beyond measure. Because she once mentioned, while they were dating, that yellow roses were pretty, he brought her yellow roses for every celebration throughout their many decades together.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife Louise; his children Alicia (Duke) Johncour, Sallie (Dave) Wick, Kara (Joel) Smith, Jaclyn (Kevin) Madden, Sean (Kate) Norris, Alexis (Marco) Maida, and Ian (Carolyn) Norris; his 18 grandchildren; and his sister Sally (Bob) Murray.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to noon at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes, 13805 Main Road (NY-25), Mattituck, New York 11952. Funeral services will follow the visitation beginning at noon in the DeFriest-Grattan Chapel. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to either the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation or the National Kidney Foundation.

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