Roy Arendal Norman

"Never Give Up"

Dr. Roy Arendal Norman, Investment Advisor, Musician, Producer and Army Veteran, died of natural causes on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at his residence in New York City.

Roy was born on February 8, 1941 in New York City where he lived most of his adult life. He was raised in St. Albans, Queens in a family rich with Caribbean heritage. He lived briefly in California and traveled the world. Roy enjoyed living in his Manhattan apartment as well as his home in East Hampton, where he delighted in cooking a variety of cuisines and entertaining his family and friends.

Roy exhibited extraordinary musical talent. He was well-versed in playing many woodwind instruments but his love was the saxophone. The melodic tones could be heard throughout his childhood home and in an uptown church with performances sponsored by The Virgin Islands League.

After serving his country in the U.S. Army, Roy played saxophone with such jazz luminaries as Miles Davis & John Coltrane. He toured Japan with legendary drummer, 'Chico' Hamilton, who became a lifelong friend and client. Roy became a highly regarded marketing executive with RCA Records. He formed the National Distribution Network (NDN), a successful record distribution company that represented many gifted musicians, including Grammy Award- winning artist Barry White and his "Love Unlimited Orchestra."

Dr. Norman was a man of many talents. For the past 25 years, he has made a difference in the lives of his clients as an Investment Advisor, most recently with Garden State Securities. He was an avid reader, an accomplished cook and painter. A lifelong learner, he earned his PhD in business from Kennedy Western University. In the past year, Roy became a co-producer of the new hit Broadway musical "Just In Time" about the life of singer Bobby Darin, starring Jonathan Groff.



Roy was a treasured father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, spouse and friend. He is survived by sons Morgan Sage Norman of San Francisco, and Miles Harrison Norman of New York City, former spouses, Michelle Anderson and Marcia Norman. Surviving siblings are Jeanette Ruby Browne, Rev. Rosalie Norman-McNaney, and Regina Joy Norman, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Dr. Norman is preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Arendal Norman Sr. and Ruby Maduro Norman, originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands; his son Sterling Bradley Norman; his sisters Dr. Ruth Norman Ekong and Nira Todman, sister-in-law Dr. Gloria Irene Norman Clark, his brothers, Rufus A. Norman Jr. and Gene Norman, and his brother- in-laws, James E. McNaney and Dr. Enobong Ekong.

Roy's motto was "never give up." Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine. Roy left us much too soon. He loved his family. He was loved and will always be cherished in our hearts. A celebration of life is planned for this summer.