Norman Rafelson, 76, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill. Born in Linden, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Samuel and Martha (Kaplan) Rafelson, and of Jewish faith. He was a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Management and led an expansive career around the world as a hotel manager working primarily for Hyatt Hotels and Silversea Cruises. Among his many posts, he was the first general manager of the Hyatt on Mt. Scopus and the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem and also served as the hotel director on the Silver Whisper World Cruise for a decade. Norman led an active life, having trained for and completed three marathons, enjoyed sports cars, loved skiing, swimming, and was known for his passion and talent for baking sourdough bread. Always thinking of others, in his last months, he volunteered his time delivering meals for Meals on Wheels. His family will remember him for his larger-than-life personality, thoughtfulness, warmth, and humor, and for his neverending love and dedication to his daughters and grandchildren.

Survivors: Daughters, Margo A. Lightman and her husband, Eric, and Rebecca M. Rafelson and her husband, Benjamin Gurvitz; Former Wife, Martha Rafelson; Brothers, Stephen and David Rafelson; and Grandchildren, Max, Maya, Eli, Adam and Asher. 

Services: Graveside, 2 p.m. Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Woodbridge Township, NJ. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, Allentown. Shiva will be held on: Monday, August 18 at the home of Rebecca Rafelson and Roei Gurvitz in Cresskill, NJ from 4-8 pm and on Tuesday, August 19 at the home of Margo and Eric Lightman in Allentown, PA from 4-8 pm.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Norman’s name to the Jewish Community Center of Lehigh Valley, at www.lvjcc.org.