Norton "Nort" Seaman

Norton “Nort” Seaman, 84, of Westtown, PA passed away on May 3, 2022.

Born in 1937 in Calcutta, India, he was the son of the late Frederick and Iris (née Williams) Seaman.

Nort was the beloved husband of the late Barbara M (née Heister) Seaman; loving father of Trent S., Eric T. (Dana C.), Evan P. (Kim), Brannon F. (Erika); proud grandfather of Torri, Lauren, Jonathon, Cole, Aydan, Lily, Marley, Sloan, Marek, Gavin, Roman and Cale.

He was predeceased by his brother, Lloyd Seaman.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 4:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at the Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610-431-9000 and to his Funeral Service 1:00 PM Wednesday at Advent Lutheran Church, 1601 Green Lane, West Chester, PA. Additional parking will be available Wednesday at The Donohue Funeral Home, where transportation to the church will be provided. The Funeral Service will be livstreamed here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82775478670?pwd=SWJXbDJnWXpTbFdmVlplbWgrMjU3dz09 (Meeting ID: 827 7547 8670, Passcode: Advent1967). There will be a Celebration of Life at Duffer's Tavern, 192 PA-352, Glen Mills, PA 19342, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Advent Lutheran Church Memorial Fund at the above address or online at https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Fi1giPL8kwX_Oe1AO50jRhEGChbIk5aMcbomprB63qnHO3iVYxvvxhHjRfLOeq662EvVVAEjqawDomKT1pbouZSdLMhDC8XL134OQxEFfNE%3D.

The following letter is written by a Seaman family friend whose life was enlightened, enlivened and enhanced through his relationship with Mr. Seaman. This one voice echoes the sentiments of countless individuals whose lives were positively influenced by the force that was, and is, Mr. Seaman.

Dear Mr. Seaman,

As I sit to type, it is the day after Easter 2022. Brannon has kept me abreast of your health, and it got me thinking about the years that have passed since I met your youngest moron. “Moron” is a term of sincere endearment in this case. Our discussions around your health also got me thinking about Mrs. Seaman. After she passed, I sent Brannon a note titled “Dear Mrs. Seaman.” It was my way of saying goodbye when I didn’t have the chance. Now, don’t think this is a goodbye. It’s not. It’s a letter to show how impactful you have been on the lives of others. Not just my life. But on the thousands (literally thousands!) you have touched over your 80+ years.

From the day I met you some 37 years ago, you have been a role model as a husband. The bond you and Mrs. Seaman had was something I never witnessed in another couple before we met or since. The way you showed your unwavering love and support of your wife set an example for your sons and your sons’ friends to emulate. I can honestly not recall ever witnessing a cross word exchanged between the two of you. Now, with the morons (again, a term of endearment) the two of you created, there were ample opportunities for disagreements. But I spent A LOT of hours at your home, and I never witnessed it. I have had conversations with my wife, brothers, friends, and your own sons…and there is complete agreement that the bond you shared with Mrs. Seaman was one-of-a-kind. Thank you for showing us how it’s done. I know your marriage wasn’t perfect– none are– but you made it seem so.

As a father, you (with the help of your bride) created a home where faith, respect, honesty and love reigned. While those four pillars held up the home, humor abounded and was intertwined amongst the pillars. When I visited your home, I knew the same expectations were placed on me, and, while it may not have seemed like because I too am a moron, I tried my best to make you both proud. I know you didn’t need a fifth son, but I feel confident in saying that all of your sons’ friends felt like the “fifth son.” Your ability to make everyone feel welcomed, known and loved, is uncanny. It’s cruelly ironic that the heart that is so open to all is giving you fits. I wish there was a way to clone a heart so we could replicate all that you have given.

I want to thank you for instilling in your sons the values on which your pillars were built. They are terrific fathers, loyal husbands, steadfast friends…and funny as hell! (Sorry for swearing but I thought it was appropriate here.) I know that Brannon uses the lessons you taught him to work through the good and the bad with his own four sons. He looks to your relationship with Mrs. Seaman as a high mark of marriage, and works hard to reach that mark with Erika. It’s a lofty goal, but you never taught your boys to settle for mediocrity. You have given your sons, daughters-in-law and grandkids the best gift one can give– a role model on how to lead a life anchored by faith, a strong moral compass, and never ending love. And humor. You have shown them all the power of laughter.

With all these nice things I just said about you, I bet your head (you didn’t give your morons follicle longevity, by the way) is getting big. Actually, that thought never crossed my mind. Your humility is one of the traits I most admire about you. With all you have accomplished, the wonderful life you had with Mrs. Seaman, and the remarkable sons you raised, it would have been easy for you to be pompous. But, Mr. Seaman, “pompous” is the last word that would ever be used to describe you. (Head-full-of-thick-lustrous-hair would be the second to last word, but I wouldn’t dare bring that up.) Your self-effacing humor instantly draws people to you, creating a passageway into your heart.

Whatever God’s plan over the following days, weeks, months and years, I want you to know that you have made me a better person. When I think of the adults who impacted my life, you are on the short list of the most influential. “Thank you” doesn’t do my appreciation justice.

The goal of this letter is to make you smile. It is not meant to be sad, morbid or a last hurrah. I shed tears writing it, but found myself feeling grateful and smiling by the end. I hope you finish reading the same way.

I wish you nothing but the best of health. And laughter. I wish you a ton of laughter.

With much love, respect and gratitude,

Scot Chandler