Norman Fell

Norman Fell was the quintessential mensch. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Al and Rose Fell, the youngest of three siblings. He was preceded in death by Jack and Frema Fell.
He completed his high school education at Cass Tech in Detroit, majoring in air conditioning and refrigeration.
He completed his postsecondary education through Wayne State University and became an attorney.
Norm left Detroit for "California Dreamin" in 1969. He passed the CA Bar and became a public defender. Prior to that he spent his summers in the Forest Service protecting national forests and fighting fires. To support himself before becoming a public defender he drove a sandwich truck; a job he LOVED.
In 1968 he met Alice; they married in 1971 and remained husband and wife for 27 years and soul mates for 56.
Through a series of circumstances, they relocated to Michigan and ended up spending their lives in Ann Arbor.
Norman worked for Legal Aid in Ann Arbor and upon leaving that position worked with his colleague to develop the Law Co-op. He spent multiple years at the Co-op as a criminal defense attorney. After that he was hired at Cooley Law School as a Law Professor. He became director of the Elder Law Clinic and later developed the State of Michigan's first Innocence Project. He was honored for that and received an award. Norman was a staunch defender of the underdog his entire professional career.
While married, Alice and Norman were blessed with two intelligent, beautiful, kind and loving daughters. He was an amazing husband and loving father for his children and helped them learn to be the wonderful people they are. As a family they traveled all throughout the US, Mexico, Canada and Israel. Many trips were taken to New York City to visit their grandma, grandpa, aunts and uncles. One particular highlight trip was a cruise through the Inside Passage in Alaska.
Norm's oldest daughter, Shayna, married Kevin Thomas in June of 2013 and blessed Alice and Norm with their beautiful grandchild, Sam. His younger daughter, Amanda, became engaged to Brad Klosner on March 22 of this year. He felt fortunate to be a witness to his daughters' connection and commitment to such kind and loving men.
Many relatives and friends preceded Norm in death and he felt honored to attend as many funerals and services as he could, wanting to mark each soul's passing with intention and care.
He is survived by a multitude of loving family members and countless friends who he considered family. They loved and cherished him for his candor, wit, kindness and his commitment to all things good. Norman loved them all in turn. He will be sorely missed by all who remain behind and will be remembered always.
Forever in our hearts we love you.
Interment will be held Monday, June 24, 2024 at 1:00pm at Arborcrest Memorial Park, 2521 Glazier Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Please meet directly at the cemetery. A luncheon will be held at Alice's residence directly following the burial, details will be announced at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the following organizations in honor of Norm:
National Parks Conservation Association www.npca.org
Mail to: National Parks Conservation Association
Attn: Membership Department
777 6th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research www.michaeljfox.org
Mail to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741
American Stroke Association www.stroke.org
Mail to: PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692