Norman Gary Green, passed away June 11, 2024 in Johnson City. He was born March 6, 1950 in Owensboro, Kentucky to his loving parents, Mary Margaret (Marksberry) Green and Marvin Graham Green. He is survived by his beloved wife, Einarina Helga Green. In addition, his adoring sister Janet Gail (Green) Midkiff and brother-in-law Stephen Midkiff of Vero Beach, Florida. Sisters-in-laws Rosemary Nigrelli of New Paltz, NY, and Katharine Rinaudo (Frank Rinaudo, Nick Florio) of Tampa, Florida. Nieces and nephews Bradley Stephen Midkiff of Marysville, Ohio, Renee Fillette-Miccio (Steven) of New Paltz, Christina Nigrelli-Rhodes (Eric) of New Paltz, Hannah Fillette, Michael Fillette, Wyatt Cole, Kinsley Pariseau, Liliana Rhodes, Olivia Rhodes, and Madelynn Rhodes. He is also survived by many cousins throughout western Kentucky and beyond. He is predeceased by his parents, in-laws (Hulda and Rosario Nigrelli), and best friends Don Maples and Siggi Erlandson.
Norman attended the University of Kentucky after high school, then joined the Navy during the Vietnam Era and was stationed Keflavik, Iceland. After two years he received word that his father had suddenly passed and immediately returned home as the surviving male in the family. It was in Owensboro that he joined the Naval Reserves and worked as a recruiter. He eventually moved to eastern Kentucky working as a recruiter, then left his job to take a director position at HUD. After some time, he moved to northeastern Tennessee where he worked as an engineer for the remainder of his fascinating career.
Norman was a true intellectual with a spirit for innovation, nostalgia, and a witty sense of humor. His exceptional brilliance inspired people to have a passion for learning and curiosity. He was a proficient morse code and ham radio operator, often up until the morning hours connecting with people in the remotest regions of the world.
Norman loved children and animals, classical music and British cinema. He appreciated simple elegance. He moved through the world with gentleness and peace. He was a true gentleman in every way. He was also a man of adventure, riding his Harley Davidson to school, and traveling the country meeting people throughout small town USA where he felt so at home. Among his favorite places on this earth was Iceland, where he was stationed for two years and returned many times after. It’s there that he met friends/family that would last his lifetime and where he met his one true love, Helga. Together they lived in synchrony. They were of the same mind and heart, hand in hand until the very end. Norman gave Helga a life beyond what she ever imagined, and Helga offered him her unending devotion and unfettered admiration for all that he was.
His wife Helga would like to express her deepest gratitude for all of his good friends who showed their concerns during his time of illness, especially Gale, Margaret, Ahmed, Mary, John, Tom, Lynn, Bonnie, Larry, and Bob. Thank you for your visits, calls, and helping in every way possible. Our family would also like to thank all the medical staff at Franklin Woods, Princeton, Hospice, Johnson City Medical, especially his aides Leslie and Sydney, who gave him excellent care at home.
A private graveside service was held, with military honors, on June 14th at Fairview Cemetery in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
