Former KCR producer and on-air personality John Clark also remembered Norman’s kindness. “When I was first contacted by Walter Maxwell about joining the staff at WGHQ [in early 1998], Orvil was the first staffer that I spoke to and met. I remember how welcome he made me feel and we got along famously from that moment. When WGHQ was airing light AM pop music during the overnights and very early mornings, he used to dance and shuffle around in the studio, a sight that always gave me a good chuckle. Al Martino’s ‘Come Share the Wine’ never failed to get Orvil dancing,”Clark recalled.
“Orvil always made you feel at home when you were there,” said Clark, “whether you were a staffer, a morning show guest or even someone who had other business at the station. He was great with guests and callers, always putting a nervous in-studio guest at ease, many of whom were new to being on the radio. He was one of the most popular people I’ve ever had the good fortune to have known. … Orvil always looked for the good in people, and if anyone could find it, it was Orvil.”
It was through the Kingston Garden Center where many people knew Norman best. That’s where Wadnola met him, the two becoming friends a decade before becoming colleagues in politics. It was there where Quigley met Norman for the first time, too.
“My father used to take me to the garden center when I was a kid when it was on North Front Street,” Quigley said. “Quite honestly, I remember meeting him as a kid.”
After opening a recent town board meeting with a moment of silence to honor Norman, Quigley explained that there were already discussions underway about how best to commemorate Norman“by seeking out the dedication of a highway bridge or street in his memory.” A CSX rail line overpass onUlster Avenuewas mooted as a possibility, though Quigley stressed that he was hoping to hear from other people who might have knownNorman.
“We don’t know everything,” Quigley said. “We want ideas from the community. I would hope that the fact that we are having this conversation and that this is becoming publicly known that the citizens in the Town of Ulster would come forward with ideas. I don’t think that it should be the total responsibility of the town board to undertake an exercise like this.”
Former Councilman John Ianotti suggested that any committee enlisted by town officials to come up with suggestions be comprised of people from across all political lines, something that occurred during his own time on the board in the ‘90s. Ianotti served as the lone councilmember on the panel, effectively serving as a liaison between the committee and the town board and only voting in the case of a tie.
“The board took care in assembling the committee so that there was a political balance…to protect the board from accusations of political favoritism,” Ianotti said. “Give some consideration to residents of the town who have been here for a long period of time and who are thoroughly knowledgeable with the facilities in the town.”
Ianotti suggested that with the history of suggestions about commemorating Norman’s service to the town, a recommendation could conceivably come quickly from a panel, possibly as early as the last meeting of the town board in July, currently scheduled for Thursday the 19th. It all sounded reasonable to Quigley, who said this week he hoped the public would step forward to be part of the discussion.
“I was very appreciative that Mr. Ianotti put forth the suggestion for the committee,” he said. “I’m encouraging people who have not been involved in the political process but are informed, concerned citizens. They should contact the town supervisor’s office.”
Asked if he had any personal recollections about Norman, Wadnola laughed before settling on one he said showcased his friend’s sense of humor.
“Orville was a very frugal individual,” Wadnola said. “After town board meetings we used to go to Friendly’s for ice cream sundaes. Orville would always say, ‘I’ll pay.’ And he’d turn to Dick Boice and say, ‘Dick, let me have your wallet.’ He would pay for the sundaes with Dick’s money, and he used to do that all the time. We used to laugh about it.”
Quigley said honoring Norman by naming a municipal property, structure or portion of a road after him would be appropriate.
“Mr. Norman was a citizen who became involved, who grew in his concern for the Town ofUlsteras his involvement grew and contributed to the recent — and by that I mean the last 30 years of — maturity of Ulster as a town,” Quigley said. “His involvement in the town board for 20 years shows a commitment to serve and it was, from what I understand, through some tumultuous times through periods of growth and periods of contraction.”
Wadnola agreed.
“He was a very dedicated individual,” he said. “He really cared about the Town ofUlster. He dedicated 20 years to public service on the town board. It’s appropriate. I think it’s a nice tribute to the man.”
With additional reporting by Dan Barton
