Norman Leonard Sachs

The composer of the Tony Award nominated musical My Old Friends, Norman Leonard Sachs, died on February 3, 2025, in Englewood, New Jersey. Norman, who was 91, brought joy and music into the lives of everyone who met him.

Born on January 28, 1934, to Helen Budow Sachs and Paul Sachs, Norman grew up in East 175th Street in The Bronx in an apartment building full of family and music. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from City College and studied at Julliard. After graduating, Norman joined the U.S. Navy where his exceptional keyboard skills, in this case on the typewriter, led him to serve as the secretary to the air boss of the U.S.S. Randolph aircraft carrier.

After returning to civilian life, he pursued a successful career in music, which lasted over six decades. He scored music for a variety of television shows, including NBC’s That Was The Week That Was. He and his first wife, Marilyn King, moved into the fabled Apthorp apartments on the Upper Westside where their son, Adam, grew up.

For much of his career Norman partnered with lyricist Mel Mandel on a broad range of musicals including the Broadway musical My Old Friends which was set in a retirement home. The New York Times called “jolly yet touching.” The duo also created Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a movie starring Kurt Douglas, and a country version of A Christmas Carol for NBC called Skinflint starring Barbara Mandrel, Larry Gatlin and Mel Tillis. For RCA Victor’s Red Seal, they wrote new musical English adaptations for the operettas Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, Waltz Dream, and A Night in Venice. Norman also composed the music Sleeping Beauty or the Famous Rose Taboo and the movie version of Roses and Petrol starring Malcom McDowell.

Norman and his second wife, Georganne Aldrich Heller, made their home between New York and Los Angeles for over 40 years. Always the community builder, Norman formed a weekly poker game (which continues to this day), organized Christmas caroling with other Jewish composers and his stepdaughter, and hosted joyful dinner parties featuring dishes such as his famous roast chicken and puttanesca. Always the artist, Norman decorated these meals with elaborate fruit and vegetable carvings.

For the last five years, Norman has resided on the Upper Westside near his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. He continued his life-long passion for piano, playing for several hours every day. He was working on several projects including a patriotic song called Fly the Flag, which he hoped would bring joy, pride, and healing to the country.

Norman Sachs is survived by his son Adam Sachs, his wife Georganne Aldrich Heller, and his granddaughter Lydia Cyrus Marilyn Sachs.

A Graveside Service was held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Mt Judah Cemetery, 81-14 Cypress Hills Ave, Ridgewood, NY 07601.