Norman Rafelson

RIP

It´s hard to express what nearly fifty years of friendship and family truly mean. Norman´s kindness left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His warmth, generosity, and gentle spirit were felt deeply by all of his Thornley relatives here in Texas, and his memory will remain a part of us always.
Linda & I have much love and gratitude for the many cherished memories-especially those shared with Norman, Martha, Margo, and Rebecca, and the joy of experiencing the wonderful varieties of bread Norman so lovingly created. Thank you, Norman, for the profound impact you had on our lives. Rest peacefully, dear friend.
Michael Thornley

Norman was bigger than life by being outgoing as a host! He practiced his hospitality sense in a major ways and always delivered on his pledge to be hospitable. I will miss my namesake and wish his family reliving great memories as they remember him.

Norm Rich

Dear Martha Rebecca Margo and family

Hearing the news of Norman's passing, I am filled with memories of the profound impact he had on my life, both professionally and personally.

So time has come for me to tell Norman how I admire him

I will never forget the day we met. You had just arrived a day earlier as the new General Manager of the Hyatt in Jerusalem. I had only seen your picture in a hotel circular, so I was surprised when you sat down at a table in the Pavilion and invited me to join you. I was the assistant restaurant manager. In your first words you told me about your unique preference for only eating the whites of hard-boiled eggs and tomatoes.

You asked me why I, a guy from Tel Aviv, was working in Jerusalem, and I told you I wanted an international career. About a year later, you made that dream a reality, sending me to Washington, D.C., for 18 months. You trusted me with a crucial task, and when I arrived, I received an amazing welcome, greeted with a level of respect I had never experienced before. The people I met with knew I had been personally chosen by you because of the gifts you had entrusted me to deliver. The day you got on the train from New York to come to Washington DC for brunch with Gil and I and then hopped back on the train to NY is Your story. Your commitment to our development and career journey was second to non.

You always checked in on me, whether with a quick phone call or one of your encouraging handwritten notes. I've saved them all; they were a much-needed boost whenever I needed a pick-me-up. A true turning point in our friendship was when you told me to stop calling you "Mr. Rafelson" and simply call you "Norm." You said, "I am your chaver," and I knew our relationship had evolved from a professional one to a deep friendship.

Even after you moved to Australia with your family, you always made a point to call and see how I was doing. When you were the Regional Director of Food and Beverage for Europe, we would go "restaurant shopping" in London with David Loewi and Philip Derrien. We moved from place to place for a different course and a drink, visiting six to eight restaurants in one night. These outings sparked incredible ideas, and we brought them back to our work. Our award-winning Sunday brunch and regional Saturday concepts in Birmingham were born from those adventures.

You were a constant force in my career. Even after I moved to Hilton, you tried to get me back to Hyatt and set up a meeting with André Purée. I had to decline, but months later, you were the one who recommended me for the InterContinental Tel Aviv.

I'll always remember your family's wedding and what a reunion it was to see Martha Margo and Rebecca again. It was a true honor for Allona and I to be a part of such a special event.

I could go on and on. I remember the smell of fresh bread from your office at the Citadel, the incredible dinner you hosted for my family on your ship in Ashdod, and all the conversations we shared. Your caring nature has shaped my life in countless ways.

Thank you for everything, my dear chaver. I will cherish the memories. Rest in peace.

I´m just a small Asian fly who once worked at Silversea, based in Singapore. But Norman-Hotel Director, with a title that carried weight-never treated me like I was small.

Every time the ship came to Singapore, he´d make a point to find me somewhere onboard. A warm hug. Kind words of encouragement. Always sincere, always generous with his time.

Even after I left Silversea, Norman never forgot. He´d invite me up for lunch whenever the ship docked. How many Hotel Directors do that for someone no longer with the company? Zero. But Norman did.

He kept in touch with funny emails-one of my favorites was a YouTube clip of Uncle Roger roasting Jamie Oliver´s egg fried rice. LOL. That was Norman: thoughtful, cheeky, and full of heart.

Our last email was on 19 July.

Norman, you will be missed. You made people feel seen. You made me feel seen. And that´s something I´ll carry with me always.

Dear Norman, Rest in peace. Working with you at Silversea has been a privilege and a source of inspiration. You have been a great friend, and I will miss you immensely. Thank you for everything you have taught me over the years of close collaboration. Marina

Oh Norman...your birthday is a day after mine and for many years we were calling each other two days in a row. The last years less. Somehow we drifted apart, to different parts of the world and time zones -- but the connection always remained. When I moved to Lausanne in 1994 -from Chicago- you were there to show me the ropes of the office, the then super quiet life in Lausanne, and many summer Sunday afternoon trips on the upper deck of the lake cruiser with a little 'je suis' Dezaley. The many travels we did to Milano, Baku, London, Zurich, Almaty, you name it. The Swiss-Alpino train rides to Milano. The concept statements you had to whip out and many of them still stand after all them years. Dinner with your family at home, roasted chicken. The girls were little and in the end I fell asleep at the awkward end of the sofa with a crooked neck the next morning. Dinner at Black Bird in London with the chocolate dessert. I can still see you walking up the window of my studio apartment in Lausanne, early, always up at the crack of dawn, with a oven-glove and a baking tray...all still piping hot out of the oven...that fresh. Experimenting bread with a different kind of seed or grain. I sliced them all and froze them to be able to toast for many weeks after. As I write this, I can feel the crunch. You were always available...the many long calls, text messages or voicemails. A little clipping of this or that. I can hear you laugh, I can see you sitting at your desk with your headphones and the many classic music CD's. Thank you Norman for the many good, good memories and the lots of laughing and learning. My heart goes to Martha, Rebecca and Margot and their families. I am sorry for your loss. You are forever in my heart. Thank you for the great times that will continue to live in my heart, and so will you.

Norman was the kind of person who immediately made others feel comfortable and valued. His ability to genuinely connect with customers and Silversea staff alike made Norman someone who will be remembered and sorely missed by many.

Norman had a special place in my heart. He always cared. I will miss our calls.

My deepest condolences. Norman was one of the best Hotel Directors in the cruise Industry. His friendliness and caring for the guests onboard Silversea was outstanding. Norman will be missed by many who had the pleasure to meet him.

We fondly remember Norman from many Silversea cruises. He loved taking photos of passengers & emailing them. He never forgot a birthday & always sent photos of himself with his grandchildren. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Frank & Marge Dederbeck

Norman, the last of the truly great passionate `old school´ hoteliers. An Officer and a gentleman who never forgot an anniversary, birthday or celebration.

Rest in peace dear Norman. It was a privilege to spend time with you and working with you.

Dear Martha, Rebecca and Margo, I am sorry for your loss. Working with him for years at Hyatt Jerusalem and Hyatt Dead Sea was an incredible experience. In the mind of a generation of Israelis managers, he will stay a genuine mentor.
I owe him a lot and I will not forget him.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Such fond memories of my days at Silversea and working with your dad. Keeping you girls and your family in my thoughts and prayers-