Norris was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, but grew up in Lachine, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal. He was an accomplished athlete in his youth, playing hockey, squash and tennis. He was a Defenceman at McGill University, and later played in 3 games in 1898 for the Montreal AAA. Norris died on December 4, 1952 in Chicago and was buried in Mattituck, New York. Upon his death, the shipping company he owned, Upper Lakes Shipping, named a Great Lakes bulk carrier after him. The ship is still in service and carries his name to this day. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958.