The Honorable J. Norris Harding, J.S.C.

The Honorable J. Norris Harding, J.S.C., 89 of Spring Lake, NJ and Singer Island, FL passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune surrounded by his loving family.

Judge Harding was born on Sunday, November 17, 1935, in New Brunswick, NJ, at St. Peter’s Medical Center. He was the cherished only son of Anne McCabe Harding and J. Norris Harding Sr., of 292 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ. His early education was at St. Peter’s Grammar School, where he also served as an altar boy at St. Peter’s Church. He continued his academic journey at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, NJ, graduating with the class of 1953. Following the encouragement of his father, a long-time “Subway Alumni” of Notre Dame, he applied for and was accepted at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree Cum Laude in May 1957. Judge Harding furthered his education at Georgetown University Law Center, thanks to the generous patronage of General Robert Wood Johnson (Chairman & CEO of J&J), earning his JD in 1960. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army, completed his basic training at Ft. Dix, and swiftly rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

As he graduated from law school in Washington DC, a young senator from Massachusetts named John F. Kennedy, who lived nearby in a Georgetown walk-up, was elected President of the United States. Judge Harding fondly recalled standing outside the Dent Street NW townhouse as executive branch cabinet officer appointments were made from the front porch, learning that Robert F. Kennedy would become the Attorney General of the United States. It was around this time that he first became inspired to join the US Justice Department. 

In 1961, he was sworn in as Assistant US Attorney assigned to the District of New Jersey and the Southern District of New York. He worked primarily in the Trenton and Newark US Attorney offices, focusing on criminal prosecution in organized crime at the Federal Courthouse on Walnut Street in Newark, NJ. One of the defining moments of Judge Harding's early career occurred while he was working at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark. It was there that he met Mary Holzhauer, who was serving as a personal legal secretary. Their connection was immediate and enduring, blossoming into a lifelong bond.

As a US Attorney he was admitted to the bar and practiced in the following jurisdictions:

State of New Jersey, 1960

Federal District Court of New Jersey, 1960

United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals, 1962

United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals, 1963

United States Supreme Court, 1964

Judge Harding’s legal career was marked by significant service to his community. He was a proud member of the Middlesex County Bar Association who served as the City Attorney for New Brunswick for Mayor Patrician Q Sheehan (Director of Law, City of New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1969-1973) and in the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office. (Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor, 1966-1969)

He maintained a private law practice in New Brunswick, where he was a partner in the firm of Kulthau, Nagle, Harding & Griggs, Esqs., from 1968 to1973. His principal clients includedPeople's National Bank and Middlesex General Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey. During this period, he was entrustedwith drafting the initial incorporation documents for the New Brunswick Hospital Association.

In 1973, Governor William Cahill appointed Judge Harding to the State of New Jersey Bench, where he served with distinction in Middlesex County for the next 26 years. He retired in 1996 as the Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division.

Judge Harding's devotion to his family was matched only by his deep commitment to his Catholic faith. He actively sought opportunities to serve, becoming a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Both he and his wife, Mary, were honored with Papal Knighthoods in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by Pope John Paul II.

He was a dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and St. Peter’s Church in New Brunswick, NJ. Following his retirement and relocation to Florida, he became a parishioner of St. Paul of the Cross in North Palm Beach, where he sang in the choir and was an active member of the parish branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the local Knights of Columbus. During the summer months, he worshipped at St. Catherine’s Church in Spring Lake, NJ, a parish founded by his father’s namesake, Msgr. John W. Norris, in 1901. Locally, Judge Harding participated in a men’s Catholic sunrise boardwalk prayer group, where he shared his wisdom and perspective with other men seeking mentorship.

Norris Harding found great joy in power boating his 40-foot in-board cruiser, “Swift Justice,” and snow skiing with his family in Killington, Vermont. However, his greatest pleasure came from attending home football games at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, as a lifetime season ticket holder. He was also a season ticket holder for the Giants NFL franchise since 1962 and witnessed their Super Bowl victories in 2007 and 2011. His lifelong passion for the New York Yankees and Knicks, shared with his dear father, remained strong from his childhood.

In New Brunswick, Judge Harding was an esteemed member of the Dewey Heights Athletic Association and the Village Recreation & Swim Club, where he served as a starter and official for the competitive swim team, in which his sons participated. Judge Harding was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He also held the prestigious positions of President of the Notre Dame of Central Jersey Club, the Notre Dame Sorin Society, the Notre Dame Jersey Shore Club, and the Notre Dame South Florida Club.

When not vacationing at his favored resort of Smugglers Cove in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Judge Harding and his wife, Mary, traveled the world, visiting all seven continents and undertaking multiple pilgrimages to Jerusalem and the Vatican.

To build stamina for his adventures he could often be seen running the Spring Lake Boardwalk before dawn. 

Norris Harding's life was one well lived. In addition to his many accomplishments, he was a steadfast pillar of strength for his family - their rock and guiding light. His legacy of love, service, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, as his passing leaves a profound void in our lives.

Judge Harding was predeceased by his parents, J. Norris and Anne (nee McCabe) Harding Sr. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Mary Harriet (nee Holzhauer) Harding, their three devoted sons, J. Norris Harding III and wife Nina of N. Palm Beach, FL, Thomas Harding and wife Carol Anne of Cherry Hill, and James Harding of Franklin Park, NJ. He also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren: Michael, Catherine, Seamus, Liam, Maggie, Rory, J. Norris IV, and Christian.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall Twp. 

A mass for Judge Harding will be offered at the Sacred Heart Basilica at 2:30 PM on Friday, April 4 on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Entombment will immediately follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus in South Bend, Indiana.

In keeping with the solemnity of the Catholic period of Lent, no flowers will be accepted at the Church. In lieu of traditional remembrances, Judge Harding’s family gratefully requests that donations be made in his memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Dr, North Palm Beach, FL 33408.

REST IN PEACE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

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