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Paul Gasiorowski posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
My once a month coffee buddy. Always had a cup of coffee for me when I stopped by from a trip up north. We discussed various things, airplanes, sci-fi movies but stayed away from politics though. Remember the meals after the club meetings. He always hoarded the butter patties. For some reason in the last year or two he got into sci-fi creatures. His last was model was the creature from 20 Millions Miles to Earth 1957. Always sent me pictures of planes that I would be interested in building, but not available in kits. I will miss the "TICK"
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James Hohenzy posted a condolence
Thursday, April 27, 2023
No words can convey how much Norris will be missed. He was SO much a unique package of splendid human qualities.
We shared quite a number of common and personal interests and never tired of chatting about them. In the last decade, between getting older and 33 miles between us and a dearth of remaining hobby shops for half-ish way meeting places, sadly, we did not spend a lot of physical time together.
Several-per-week personal emails, inclusion on e-chains and occasional (up to 4 hours) long telephone conversations kept our relationship healthy and active. Largely, IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) events, hobby flea markets, MMSI (Military Miniature Society of Illinois) Shows, a rare lunch, provided mutually valued “physical presence” time.
Norris remained a lifelong active, competent, artful scale modeler, interested in the hobby since single-digit age, especially 1/48 scale WW II and Post-, mostly aircraft, and of “recent,” dinosaur kits.
Norris worked up until the companies’ end with plastic scale model kit manufacturers, Monogram and (US) Revell doing consultation, kit-box-buildups and markings research for them.
Norris became an enthusiastic, capable guitarist who over time, acquired a varied stable of electric instruments. Not only could the guy pick, strum and wail, but possessed a vast knowledge of brands, specific instruments, histories, players, variations, record labels, stories of many concerts attended....
Norris created and grew a scale model decal company, "Thundercals," devoted to his WW II era aerial true love, Republic P-47 Thunderbolts.
Unquestionably one of the planet’s authorities on the aircraft, Nor could go on for hours about P-47 squadrons, groups, even individual pilots and aircraft, their histories, stories, variants, markings and kits thereof. Never content with his massive collection, Nor reveled in finding every "new" photo and story about P-47s.
He creatively acquired a large number of other manufacturers' discontinued decals and maintained a casual business, selling them on the cosmicnet and at scale modeling events.
He developed skills as a master aviation photographer, historian and historiographer. Nor formed and maintained relationships where he was able, as recent as March 2023, to visit military bases and take flightline photos of in-service jets. No question, he left a library containing ten or more thousand images.
Norris’ depth of knowledge of and (truly) vast collection of recorded “classic” popular, especially guitar-oriented music was whelming. He delighted in long conversations about players, songs, styles, bands, guitars and amplifiers.
Nor loved being a happy family man, an openly devoted husband to Shelley and father to David.
Norris was a staunch lover of the United States of America and the best of it; he made no secret of his pain at its decline.
We shared sincere love of canine friends, past and current; in Nor's case, “Lil’ Ed”, a big, black lap-Lab who is anything but little. Named for the founder of the Blues Imperials band, poor Lil' Ed is now without his dad.
Norris was also “dad” to a number of turtles and tortoises, possessing knowledge, the content of a small library about them…Shelley and David have a serious animals-maintenance responsibility, without Nor.
Norris’ “reptiles” interest was further evident in his knowledge of and skillful, imaginative scale modeling of dinosaurs and prehistoric kit subjects.
Norris possessed a phenomenal memory, being super-well-versed on old TV shows / series and campy “monster / space movies,” as well.
Norris competently wrote the IPMS James McKinstry Chapter newsletter as well…for a long time, and always with a sense of wry humour.
Nor, you were SO unique, so delightful. Your passing leaves a hole in this soul. A life truly well-lived. Thank you so much for being part of this life, for several-plus decades.
When you arrived at The Pearly Gates, surely, St. Peter had a shiny, new P-47D-27-RE Thunderbolt waiting for you, a thrilled Hershey beside him, wagging his tail and jumping around at your being reunited.
"Pilot N.E. Graser" stenciled below the T-Bolt's canopy rails, custom flight suit, boots, helmet and goggles; the 'Bolt gassed up, ready to fly through Heaven's endless skies, to your heart's content.
Thanks for being you, Nor.
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Lee Lygiros posted a condolence
Monday, April 24, 2023
I met Norris at the RICHTA show when he was selling decals. He noticed my AF issued flight jacket and asked me if it was real or just something I bought at a surplus store. When I told him it was real, he told me he was an aviation photographer and we got in a long discussion of where have you been and who do you know. By the end of that conversation, we found out that Norris had pictures of me taking off from Glenview NAS and he invited me to join McKinstry. One of those pictures now hangs on my wall and I've been a member of McKinstry for nearly 30 years, the meetings ending with me and Norris sharing his scotch after hours. Norris is one of my oldest friends and I'll miss him terribly.
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Scott Olsen posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Q: How did you meet Norris?
A:
I met Norris through my late friend Dan Paulien. Dan got me into the McKinstry Model club over 20 years ago. Norris was the President aka “The King”. Norris was one of most interesting and cool dudes I have ever known and will miss him greatly. I have many fond memories from Club meetings, IPMS Model shows and of course the yearly Christmas Party. My Wife and I send our thoughts and condolences to Shelley, David and their family. God bless…
Scott Olsen
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Mark Sorensen uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
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Condolences from Norris' 1965 classmates at Maine West High School.
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Bryant Dunbar lit a candle
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
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My heart felt condolences to Shelley and David. Norris is a irreplaceable piece of the model building community. Norris was not only a friend, who loved to give me grief, but a mentor like no other. Any questioned asked Norris had a thorough in depth answer and I'm grateful for the knowledge he imparted to me. I can't express how much his information has helped me personally and professionally. We might not have talked for months but when we did, we picked up right where we'd left off.
Furthermore I'm grateful for Norris's friendship to my parents, Joan and Willard Dunbar. Norris found mom's life story to be fascinating and always made her feel as part of the group. As for Dad, they no doubt shared the same politics. Norris told me more than once, "I really like your dad.....and you're OK too." Norris and I would both chuckle. I think that's what made Norris special, he made everyone feel included. It wasn't only about the "guys". He wanted wives/significant others to feel part of the group as well.
I know for my part I will miss bumping into Norris at the shows, our 3+ hour long phone calls and the holiday party dearly. God speed my friend.
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David Kopielski posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
We are very sorry for your loss. Our condolences and prayers go out to you and your family. David and Joyce Kopielski
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Michael Polk posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Was never quite sure whether the more important function was the McKinstry meeting or the post meeting meal.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Norris Graser
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at McMurrough Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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In Loving Memory
Norris Graser
1947 - 2023
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