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Norman Rafelson
FUNERAL HOME
1629 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania
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Norman Rafelson Obituary
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Memorial Events
for Norman Rafelson
Funeral services provided by:
Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, P.C. - Allentown1629 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102
Memories and Condolences
for Norman Rafelson
11 Entries
Norm Rich
Earlier today
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
Melvyn Yap
Yesterday
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.
Marina Vivian
Yesterday
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
Eugene.
Yesterday
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.
Peter Adamowich Jr.
August 16, 2025
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.
Diane Montgomery
August 16, 2025
Norman had a special place in my heart. He always cared. I will miss our calls.
Maggie Moran Holyn
August 16, 2025
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.
Frank & Marge Dederbeck
August 16, 2025
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
SUZANNE CLARK
August 16, 2025
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.
Rony Timsit
August 16, 2025
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.
Norma Spadola
August 15, 2025
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-
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