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Norman Appel

05/25/1923 - 01/19/2018
Service Date: 02/11/2018
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma, California

Norman Appel died of natural causes, surrounded by family in Mesa, Arizona.

He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Appel of Santa Rosa, California, daughters Lori Diquattro of Mesa, Arizona, Adriane Appel of Danville, California and son Jeffrey Appel of Poway, California, grandsons Wes, Ryan and Jeremy Diquattro, grandson Michael Appel, and nine great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Norman finished high school and two years at City College of San Francisco when WWII began.  He contributed to the war effort as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corp working on the instrument panel for B-24J “Liberator” aircraft at Warton Aerodrome, Base Air Depot No. 2, Station 582 of the U.S. 8th Air Force. After meeting and marrying Ethel Schneider, the young couple lived in an apartment building owned by her mother.  During this time they became friends with several other young married couples, whose friendship lasted a lifetime.  Several years later, the couple moved to Concord and Walnut Creek where they raised their family.

Norman worked for AT&T after the war, but when Ethel was pregnant with her first daughter, Norm was laid off.  He decided to take a job in sales with Lutz Tiger Tread Company of Benicia, California.  He found that sales made a lot more money than the phone company, and that it was enough to support a growing family.  He spent many years working as a recap tire salesman for Lutz Tires.  The work was long hours, but it provided the stability needed to support his family.  This allowed Ethel to get her real estate business going.  After he retired from Lutz, the two worked together to make the real estate investments that eventually secured their retirement.

Norman’s favorite past time was watching sporting events on TV, bowling and attending an occasional baseball or football game.  He was very practical and could fix almost anything that broke around the house.  He was well liked by all who met him.  People would naturally gravitate to him; they would seek him out for advice and cherish the guidance he provided.   

In retirement, Norman volunteered for Scripps Hospital where he drove the Scripps Mobile that helped transport patients to the hospital for their appointments.  He also served as the president of the local Home Owners Association for the housing development where they lived in Del Mar, California.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma, California. There will be an open casket viewing in the chapel at 10:45 AM. Please be in the chapel at 10:30 AM to participate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Alzheimer’s research.

There will be a luncheon at 12:30 PM, immediately following the funeral service, location to be determined.

Funeral arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, Mesa, Arizona and Colma Cremation and Funeral Services, Colma California.

Condolences

  • Uncle Norm= I will always remember the bucket with the clothes line and wooden pole you made to play the base guitar!!!!!….I will always your smile and your jokes……lots of them…..I tell MY grandchildren about you…..they laugh…which is what you always did…..I will miss you….Love….. your nephew…..Marty

  • Dear Uncle Norm,

    I’ll always remember the times my family would travel to see our cousins leaving the perpetual fog of Pacifica and getting a chance to bask in the sunshine in San Carlos. You were always such a tall and commanding presence with a wonderful voice that spoke wisdom to me. Your love of Auntie Sammee and your family is an enduring legacy. You are resting in peace and I know my Father Marvin and Auntie Sammee have welcomed you home.

    Do not stand at my grave and weep.
    I am not there; I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow.
    I am the diamond glints on snow.
    I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning’s hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circled flight.
    I am the soft stars that shine at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry;
    I am not there; I did not die.
    — Mary Elizabeth Frye

    With Love,

    John & Patty Schneider

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