Norman was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, the only child of Karl and Jenny Olsen of Norway.  His father was a machinist and his mother was a nurse.  Norman's early home was torn down as a result of "eminent domain," when the Gowanus Expressway was built.  From a very early age Norman was a lover of trains and trolleys and knew every line in the nation and even those in other countries.  He attended the most prestigious schools, including Poly Prep Country Day School in Bay Ridge, a boarding school in historic Garrison, New York, and the Dwight School in Manhattan.  He graduated from Wagner College with a bachelor's degree in History and Political Science.  Norman was drafted into the army and is a Vietnam Veteran.  He was employed by the NYC Department of Social Services as a caseworker, as well as by the United States Postal Service.  Having worked for the USPS, he was not confident in sending things by mail.  Norman was extremely well-traveled, and was a fierce advocate of public transportation.  He rode every subway and bus line in New York City.  He visited all 48 contiguous states, and many European nations, including Norway, Great Britain, Austria, Hungary, and Portugal, as well as our northern neighbor, Canada.  Norman was an avid, and very fast, reader.  He was an encyclopedia of historical facts and loved discussing politics.  Norman prided himself on having voted in every election and primary except for one, because he was in a Nursing Home at the time.  Two of his favorite memories were seeing President Franklin Delano Roosevelt riding in a car along the streets of Bay Ridge and being on an airplane with Martin Luther King, Jr.  Church was extremely important to Norman.  At different points in his life he was a member of both Trinity Lutheran, 46th Street, and Our Saviour's Lutheran, 80th Street.  While in school in Garrison, he attended worship at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in the Highlands, which he adored.  But for the most part he was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church, 63rd Street, where he served in a wide variety of capacities.  He studied music under Zion's choir director, Agnes Forde, and had a lovely singing voice.  Being of Norwegian heritage, it is significant to note that Norman died on the "17th of May," also known as Norway's "Constitution Day."  Norman is survived by his friends who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to: Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (414 80th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209) the Shore Line Trolley Museum – operated by the Branford Electric Railway Association (17 River Street, East Haven, CT 06512; https://shorelinetrolley.org ); or the Seashore Trolley Museum (195 Log Cabin Road, Kennebunkport, ME 04046; https://trolleymuseum.org ).  Thank you.


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*Visitation
Tuesday (5/21)
4 PM – 7:30 PM

*Redeemer-St. John's Lutheran Church
939 83rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228


Funeral Service
Tuesday (5/21)
7:30 PM

Redeemer-St. John's Lutheran Church
939 83rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11228


Departing Prayer
Wednesday
9:30 AM

from Clavin Funeral Home
7722 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209


Cemetery
Calverton National Cemetery
210 Princeton Boulevard
Calverton, NY 11933