It's been a while. Norman was a kind man. I think of him sometimes. Glad I knew him.

I wrote this some time ago, and thought it had posted on this website. Like others here who have left their kind thoughts about Norman, I wondered why I had not heard from him for some time...and checked obits. I met Norman on a canoe camping trip many years ago. He was a unique individual, liked what he liked, and was not concerned if his opinion didn't conform to those around him.  (And he wasn't bent on convincing you he was correct.) I often found his politic beliefs differed from my own in ways that bothered me. This said, he was a decent and kind person. He did as he liked, driving across the country, for group skiing or hiking trips...often stopping at a Presidential Library along the way. We hiked and canoed together from time to time, met in Manhattan occasionally.  Went skiing together for a couple of days in Crested Butte. We'd speak a few times a year, he'd stop in Long Beach to visit sometimes. Hadn't heard from him.... Knew he'd been sick with cancer years ago. Hope he died in peace.

Me and my family have known Norman for the last 45 years.  The last time we saw him was to share in our Easter dinner in April.  We expected him to come on Thanksgiving Day as he had for at least the last 20 years.  When my sister told me that he never responded to the email invitation I looked him up on the web and saw his obituary.  I cannot share how much he will be missed.  There are so many memories that I have of this decent, gentle man, from our canoe trips and hiking trips to his visits to my daughter in Portland OR.  I miss him greatly.

We have not spoken or seen Norman since early May and we're unaware of his passing. A very nice man & friend. We enjoyed speaking with him.  Norman brought his Suburban to George's Auto & Truck Repair in Sayreville, his home town, for many years. We enjoyed his stories about his travels and have missed not speaking with him. George decided to check the obituaries and was very sad to find out about his passing. He is missed.

Norm was a long-time, colleague before his retirement many years ago. I am grateful to have known him and learned from him. My condolences to his family.

Norman was a mainstay of our community in Sayreville. He was always so engaged and eager to be involved. He was a kind soul.

It was a true pleasure to have worked with Norman at the Army Corps of Engineers.  He was always the guy who could get almost anything done--except fix our financial management system!  Even in his retirement, it was a joy to see him at office events, holiday parties, and retirements of dear colleagues.  The world, from college students competing a concrete canoe (I did that in college, too, and always enjoyed hearing today's stories) to avid skiers to our loved Army Corps of Engineers business, has sent on a good man.

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Riverside Memorial Chapel - Hawthorne

Norman Blumenstein

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OBITUARY

Norman Blumenstein

March 2, 1944 – May 14, 2019

Riverside Memorial Chapel - Hawthorne

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