Bruce Norris
| Bruce Arthur Norris | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 19, 1924 Chicago, IL, USA |
| Died | January 1, 1986 (aged 61) Stoney Brook, NY, USA |
|
Cause of death
|
Liver failure |
| Occupation | Sports team owner |
|
Board member of
|
Detroit Red Wings |
| Spouse(s) | 1 Naoma Donnelley 2) Patricia Anne Shephard 3) Armene Lamson Clark |
| Parents | James E. Norris |
| Relatives | James D. Norris |
| Awards |
|
Bruce Arthur Norris (February 19, 1924 – January 1, 1986) was owner of the Detroit Red Wings from 1952 to 1982. He was the son of James E. Norris and half-brother of James D. Norris. Members of the Norris family owned the Red Wings for almost fifty years before selling the franchise to Mike Ilitch in 1982. Bruce and Marguerite Norris inherited the Detroit Red Wings from James E. Norris Sr. who died on December 4, 1952. Marguerite Norris was named President. After winning the Stanley Cup in 1955 Bruce bought out his sister Marguerite (who was the first woman to be engraved on the Stanley Cup, in 1954 and 1955) shares to become the sole owner of the Red Wings. He was later elected the chairman of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors. Bruce Norris was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969, joining his father and brother. Bruce Norris name was engraved on the Stanley Cup as a Vice President in 1952, 1954, 1955.
Bruce Norris served as an Ensign with the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Bruce Norris married Naoma Donnelley on June 28, 1947. The couple divorced in 1949. He remarried in 1958 to Patricia Anne Shephard. That marriage ended in divorce and in 1967 he married the former Mrs. Armene Lamson Clark of Seattle. They divorced in 1970.
In 1957, Mr. Norris ordered the trade of Ted Lindsay from the Red Wings to Chicago because of Mr. Lindsay's efforts to form the National Hockey League Players Association. His role in the union busting efforts are dramatized in the TV movie, Net Worth.
In 1976, Bruce Norris was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
Bruce Norris died at age 61 on January 1, 1986 at Stony Brook University hospital in Stony Brook, Long Island, New York.
External links[edit]
- Bruce Norris's biography at Legends of Hockey
- Norris' name on the Stanley Cup
- January 2, 1986 New York Times obituary
- Net Worth at the Internet Movie Database
| Preceded by James D. Norris |
Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors 1966–1968 |
Succeeded by William M. Jennings |
| Preceded by Bill Wirtz |
Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors 1972–1973 |
Succeeded by Bill Wirtz |
