Michael Patrick "Mike" Norrell

1945 - 2021

Michael "Mike" Patrick Norrell
October 9, 1945 - May 30, 2021
Fairhope, AL
Michael "Mike" Patrick Norrell, 75 of Fairhope, AL passed away on Sunday May 30, 2021 after losing his two year battle to ALS. Mike was born in Port Jervis, NY on October 9, 1945. He was the son of James E. "Alabam" and Marion Hart Norrell. Mike graduated from Port Jervis High School in 1963 being voted Class Devil that year. Mike was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Vietnam War serving on the Destroyer, USS Basilone. After returning home he worked at various jobs in Port Jervis, NY before moving to Bon Secour, AL. After moving to Alabama he was a shrimper for a few years before starting to work on tow boats. He started out as a deck hand and continued working at other positions for 47 years until retiring in 2018 as Captain of the Laurie Johnson at Martin Marine in Houston, TX. Whether you knew him as Mike, Dad, Paw Paw Mike or Captain Mike, he was known for his love of Alabama football and the love of being around his family. No matter what the gathering was whether family or friends Mike was at the center making jokes laughing and carrying on. Mike was someone you didn't want to dare to do something whether it was driving his motorcycle on the Hawks Nest Wall in Port Jervis, NY, putting sour cream in someone's face or throwing someone fully clothed in the water, he was always up for the challenge. He was hardworking and a do-it-yourselfer that loved life and making everyone around him laugh. He was the family historian. He was never at a loss for words and was always an amazing storyteller. On his visits home, he always had to get Len & Jos Pizza or Jimmy's Texas Lunch – two of his favorite foods when growing up. He loved being around the water – growing up in a house on the Delaware River, spending summers at Basket Lake in Delaware County, NY or on the Gulf of Mexico – Mike was at his happiest. He was a die hard University of Alabama football fan and when working on the boat, the radio was always tuned into the game. He always ended a conversation with "Roll Tide".
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, James E "Alabam" and Marion (Hart) Norrell of Port Jervis, NY; two sisters, Joan Baran of Shohola, PA and Kathleen Buxton of Williamsburg, VA and one great-grandson, Grayson Johnston of Fairhope, AL.
He is survived by his wife Vicky (Frost) Norrell, the love of his life. They were married on October 26, 1968 and celebrated 52 years together before his death.
Mike is also survived by his two daughters, Michele Sterling (Ty) of Milton, FL and Stephanie Johnston (Bobby) of Robertsdale, AL; four grandchildren: Skyler (Chelsy) Johnston of Foley, AL, Misti Johnston of Mobile AL, Michael and Matthew Harrison of Milton, FL; three great-grandchildren: Jaden, Emma and Walker Johnston of Foley, AL; three sisters: Nancy Di Simone (Anthony) of Wildwood Crest, NJ, Susan Betts (Gary) of Canastota, NY and Patricia Norrell of Port Jervis, NY; two brothers, James E. (Candy) Norrell Jr. of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Joseph (Karen) Norrell of Port Jervis, NY.
Services were held at Foley First Baptist Church on Tuesday June 8th at 10:00 a.m. with the visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the burial service at Wynn Cemetery in Summerdale, AL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the ALS Association or First Baptist Church, 221 North Alston Street, Foley, AL 36535.