I am sending sincere condolences for Norm's passing. 

Norm worked in our Educational Services organization at Auto-Trol Technology in the late 80's to early 90's. He was always pleasant, affable, and willing to lend a hand to others to set up classrooms, prepare new materials, or to teach classes. He was proud of his Masonic background and even sponsored one or our instructors (Grant Sanders) to join the organization.

I shared Norm's obituary with other Educational Services staff who knew Norm. Embrie Borkovic and Ken Kaufman send their regards and condolences as well.

With warm regards,
Chuck Ferguson

There are many memories. Dee was our neighbor before their marriage and my daughter was in the wedding party. We were Lodge brothers and when I found he played an instrument, I think I got him interested in playing in the Shrine Band together. I hounded him in taking over the secretary job after years and was a good man for the job.
Norn's smiley face will truly be missed as his music. I'm sure heaven is now a better place and he gets to play the trumpet!

It's difficult to imagine the Shrine Family Band without Norm's inviting smile and wonderful musicianship.   He played trumpet with the group and also kept us informed regarding the "What, Where & When" for all of our rehearsals and performances.    
When a fellow bandsman needed help getting to rehearsals Norm quietly got him there.  No fanfare - just making life a little better for someone else.
It was always a joy to see Norm, Dee, Rick and Linda in the audience when I performed with the Rocky Mountain Brassworks.  His love and support of music was so apparent.  There really was something very special about his smile that said, "It's all good."  
A truly caring and giving person who is missed by so many.   Condolences and healing wishes to his loved ones.


Louise and I are greatly saddened by Norm's passing, but we have  fond memories of good times with Dee and Norm.  We often went to hear live music.  We especially enjoyed going to Dazzle, (Denver jazz club).  A particularly fun outing was when Norm arranged and drove us all through the north Denver "mob tour" (with scary Smaldano family stories) prior to dinner at Gaetano's!  What a fun night!  
Louise and I would have dinner with Dee and Norm, in our home or theirs.  I enjoyed playing duets with Norm, until our embouchures gave out ;)   Then the 4 of us would share travel stories.  We will miss Norm and remember him most fondly.       Cheri Roberts

Norm, I will miss your wonderful sense of humor and your always evident joy of life, and love for your family. I am thinking of you all.
Love, Karen Thoutt and family

Norm was a wonderful man.  I met him 10 or so years ago and he introduced me to the Shrine Dance Band.  I will forever be thankful to him for that.  I remember him as a happy, caring and downright good person with a kind soul.  In all the time I was around him I never saw him be anything but kind, funny, and helpful.  He will forever be missed and remembered by us all.  His family is equally wonderful.  The love he and Dee shared was always easily visible.  What a pair!  He truly loved his children too.  Play on my friend in heaven and we will remember you with a smile on our face and love in our heart.  Thank you for being the person you were for all of us! The world was definitely a better place because of Norm.


I’m ashamed to admit I never knew Norman Leroy but Norm O’Kelly was my cousin DeeDee’s husband. I can’t remember the exact year I met him. But through the years at Valente Family gatherings he became someone I enjoyed seeing & have a conversation with. My husband & I enjoyed watching him & Dee dancing. They had so much fun. Now all the music he enjoyed made me appreciate him more. Taken from here too soon but he’ll be a welcome musician up above.

I had the honor and privilege of coaching Worshipful Brother Norm through his Blue Lodge Degrees.  We spent many hours together during that time.  I was fortunate to live close by to Norm and after his Raising, we shared many rides back  and forth to Lodge.  

Since we both had children in the High School Band, he, Dee, Janet, and I shared some additional wonderful times together.  We will all miss you WB Norm, but our lives and memories are forever richer because of you!

Fraternally,
Randall Drake

I've been fortunate enough to be friends with Norm and Dee twice.  First as a teenager through my parents and the second most recently after my mom passed.  What I remember as a teenager was going to see movies with Norm and my dad at the old Cooper Theater on Colorado Blvd.  Because of those times, Jaws and Alien will always hold a special place in my heart.   As an adult, I'll think of Norm as a dear friend who I had the utmost trust and respect for.  He was a kind man with a gentle soul who was always willing to listen and hear other's perspective before sharing his own.  The world is a better place because of Norm O'Kelly and he'll be greatly missed by all those he touched.    

Norman (Nick) was one of my favorite cousins and I always enjoyed our visits in the Denver area, Farmington, New Mexico area, and  California in the Torrance area when I last saw him face to face in 2007.  We would always exchange music stories - him trumpet, me saxophone, and I know he really enjoyed playing with the Shriners for charity.  He always made me feel welcome and was generous to a fault.  He was very sympathetic when my mother passed away in 2019 and we had a nice chat over the telephone.  We had a few chats in 2020 and he was pleasant as always, and didn't let on how ill he was.  He will be greatly missed by his family and relatives, and we were all the better for knowing him. 

Norm was always so nice to my husband Randy and I. He always had a smile on his face even when he asked me to stop calling him sir. 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dee, Alison ,Brandon and the rest of the family. 

Norm's passing, creates an enormous void in our family, which we intend to fill with perpetual recollections of special moments and all he meant to us.  He meshed immediately with me to become a  brother I never had, when he married my sister, Dee.  During the onslaught of the pandemic, last Memorial Day, Norm stood at several family graves at Mount Olivet Cemetery and played Taps, saluting several relatives for their service.  He was already suffering from an incurable lung disease, which had yet to be diagnosed.  As his lungs exhaled their final earthly breath with us last week, they inhaled their first eternal breath with family and friends who he now joins.  Youth and health now restored, he shares the twinkle in his eyes and his wit, with other cherished family and friends.  He has joined a band that will create endless music through eternity.  I miss him greatly already.......

Dear Dee and family,  I am so very,  very sorry about your loss.  May your wonderful memories help  in the long run...Sending loving thoughts, prayers and hugs...Cindy 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Norman LeRoy O'Kelly

10 août 1944 – 31 mars 2021

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Highland

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service