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Portland Jewish Funeral Home

471 Deering Ave

Portland, Maine

Norman RAPKIN Obituary

NORMAN LESLIE RAPKIN December 17, 1928 - December 30, 2022 After a life well-lived, two weeks following his 94th birthday, beloved only child of Samuel and Frances Rapkin, Norman is survived by his wife and soulmate of 63 years, Lenore Levinson (Norrie); his son, Steven (Toronto, Ontario); daughters, Lesley Levine (Danbury, Connecticut) and Hilary Rapkin (Falmouth, Maine); sons-in-law, Robert Levine and William Stiles; and his treasured grandsons, Jacob, Zachary, and Justin Levine and Elias and Ethan Rapkin-Stiles. Norman was born in 1928 in Salem, Massachusetts. He prepped at the Clark School (Hanover, New Hampshire) and then attended Bowdoin College class of 1950 (Brunswick, Maine), after which he worked in intelligence in Washington, D.C. during the Korean War. He next attended Harvard where he received his law degree (1956) and then earned an LLM at NYU School of Law. After completing his education, Norman practiced tax law in New York with the IRS, Office of the Chief Counsel. Following a two year stint at Seder & Seder (Worcester, Massachusetts), he and Norrie moved to Montreal where he practiced international taxation, first at Touche Ross & Co., and then at the Royal Bank of Canada where he was VP Taxation and the first Jewish officer in the history of the Bank. During the 1970's, he was an adjunct professor at McGill Law School where he inspired a generation of budding tax practitioners. Norman and Norrie traveled widely in Europe over the years, often with friends and family, creating wonderful memories and frequently returning to London and Paris, for which they both had such an affinity. In retirement, Norman was counsel at Heenan Blaikie LLP, and began to spend more time on the North Shore of Boston (Swampscott and Marblehead) where he had grown up; and then in Maine where he and Norrie eventually built a house and planned their retirement. Once fully retired, Norman's lifelong passion for classical music found expression in his involvement with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Bowdoin International Music Festival where his skill set and enthusiasm were put to good use. Once established in Maine, Norman also began to dabble in watercolors and many friends and family now have framed examples of his work as a lasting memory. Funeral services were held in Portland, Maine on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Donations in memory of Norman may be made to the Bowdoin International Music Festival at www.bowdoinfestival.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Norman RAPKIN

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10 Entries

Seth Levinson

December 12, 2025

Grateful to bring Norman into this day. Remembering him brings a smile to my heart.

Jud Levinson

December 11, 2025

Ah Norman, Norman. He could so funny and have a broken heart at the same time.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Love, Shari & Darren

Planted Trees

Inge

January 27, 2023

My sincere condolences to you, Lenore and family.

Froma & Norm Shulman

January 5, 2023

Dear Lenore & Family,

Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Norman. We remember him fondly,

Froma & Norman Shulman

Debbie Galarneau

January 3, 2023

It was my privilege to work with Norm on the PSO Board for many years, and longer still on the Orchestra Personnel Committee. As Richard Kelly has said, Norm was greatly respected and valued for his work with board, staff, and musicians on this committee; and he has left an indelible mark.
We will miss you Norman! Our hearts and prayers are with Norrie and your family.

Jud Yehuda

January 3, 2023

I remember his warmth, chuckles and vehemence and his friendship with my father.

Also, that he was the first Jewish officer of the Royal Bank is not lost on me. One summer I befriended the grandson of the president of the Bank. He invited me to visit him at his grandfather's estate. I recall his dismay when he greeted me at the edge of his grandfather's property to tell me I could not come on the property since I was Jewish.

May we all be consoled by the wonderful life he led.

Seth Levinson

January 3, 2023

Dear Aunt Lenore, Hillary, Leslie and Steven, sending love in this time of loss. -Seth

Single Memorial Tree

Kim Corthell

Planted Trees

Richard Kelly

January 2, 2023

Thank you, Norm, for your work with the PSO over the years. I always looked forward to seeing you at the musician contract negotiations. You truly cared about the health of the PSO organization, and everyone involved. When I think of examples of how a respectful, meaningful, and purposeful negotiation session can be, I will always think of you. Thank you for being a wonderful example. Seeing how proud you were introducing me to your grandson percussionist at a PSO Discovery Petting Zoo is something I will also remember fondly.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

Memorial Events
for Norman RAPKIN

Jan

3

Funeral service

1:00 p.m.

Etz Chaim Synagogue

267 Congress Street, Portland, ME

Funeral services provided by:

Portland Jewish Funeral Home

471 Deering Ave, Portland, ME 04103