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Community remembers Norm Green, longtime businessman
By Melanie Wilkinson, York News-Times Managing Editor
From the York News-Times - Saturday, October 25, 2003
Green |
YORK -- Norm Green, a longtime realtor, auctioneer and businessman in the York community, has died at the age of 61.
He was on a hunting trip in British Columbia, Canada when he apparently suffered a heart attack Thursday, Oct. 24.
Green was a champion businessman in the York area for many years -- as well as an expert auctioneer. He built his business, Norm Green Realty and Auction, into a prominent institution in the York business community.
While Green is well known for his business success and community involvement, he was also beloved and admired by many friends in this area.
Mark Kath, manager of the Eagles Club in York, says he's known Green for more years than he can remember.
"He was one of my closest, lifelong friends," Kath said yesterday morning. "He was always a gentleman -- and he loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. And, of course, he was a great businessman. I guess you could say I've known him for as long as I can remember."
Kath jokes that their lives have been somewhat parallel -- even that he "followed Norm around town."
"My former house was the house that Norm built -- the house where his kids grew up," Kath said. "Then, I moved to a condo by the country club where he used to live. He moved out and then I moved in. I guess I've always lived where Norm once lived. He probably thought I was following him around," Kath said with a chuckle.
Stanley Catchpool of York remembers the outdoorsman in Green. He should -- he and Green have been hunting, fishing and golfing together for years.
"I used to live in Hastings," Catchpool said. "Even before I moved to this area, Norm and I were going on hunting trips together. We went turkey hunting twice a year and played a lot of golf together.
"I don't believe you can put into words our very special friendship. And I don't think Norm and I would want some of our experiences put down in print," Catchpool said, as he chuckled. "Yes, we spent many hours hunting and fishing -- Norm was the world's worst shot, but by far the better fisherman. I was his partner in many golf tournaments through the years -- we were great friends. We confided in each other about not only world events but our personal lives, too. He was a great guy."
Clark Woodruff agrees.
"I've known him since he was a teenager -- we've always been close friends," the York businessman said. "He was a great companion on hunting and fishing trips. He was a really nice, nice person, a great friend -- I'm really going to miss him."
Woodruff said he also admired Green's work ethic and business savvy.
"He worked really hard," Woodruff said. "He started out working for a carpenter crew, building houses, so many years ago. Then he became interested in auctions -- went to auctioneering school -- and started out on his own. He literally built his business from the ground up. He worked hard and was good at what he did."