Norman


Dear friends and colleagues,

Many of you have met my father, Norman Arbeeny. You may remember him as my driver, working with me for over 25 years after he retired at age 60 from a career as a longshoreman. Norman commanding the wheel out on calls to clients as I ran the company part-time from our mobile office, the Dodge Durango.

With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to my beloved father Norman Arbeeny on Tuesday, April 21st, 2020. He died peacefully at home at the age of 89, the home where he was born and lived in his entire life, our family name on the lunette above the doorway since the day my grandparents moved there in the roaring 1920’s. Thankfully my siblings and I were able to spend quality time with him these past few weeks. Sadly our father tested positive for the Corona virus but his death was due to a combination of ailments.

Norman's zest for life was contagious, sky-blue eyes, and always smiling. He was beloved because he loved so much, and loved life with his whole heart. Norman loved to cook and he was good at it, but the inside joke is that he cooked for everyone except me, so lucky are the recipients of his plates of homemade sfiha and kibbeh. And, if you saw us together it was obvious who I inherited my charm from. It's because of him that I became who I am.

Although we're all going through this dark and difficult period of time, despite the distance we are still a community and will come through this as a community. My family and I look forward to gathering in celebration as soon as we can and I will keep you all in the loop with those details.

One of Norman's greatest qualities was his giving nature. He stocked up on supplies just for the joy of giving things away to those in need. So, in lieu of flowers, consider supporting one of these organizations that were part of my father's community:

St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral (https://stnicholascathedral.org/) at https://st-nicholas-orthodox-cathedral.square.site/

Cobble Hill Health Center (www.cobblehilllifecare.org/) at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E244909&id=1

Thanks,

Peter Arbeeny
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