Norman Chanin

Norman Michael Chanin passed away peacefully on October 1, 2017 after battling Pancreatic Cancer.
Norm was born March 27, 1943 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Etta & Benjamin Chanin.  He graduated from Rutgers University with both a Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree in Business.
During his life, he was a loving, fun, gregarious person that never met a stranger.  His family was his top priority and he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.  Norman is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Shirley Johnson, daughter Erica and husband Andrew Cozewith, grandsons Henry and Harrison Leusink, and granddaughters Leah & Rachel Cozewith.  He is also survived by his brother Steve and Karin Chanin and their daughters Suzanne and Marci and son Jeffrey.  Other survivors include his sister-in-law Sharon Johnson Starr and her daughter Kari and husband David Beck, brother-in-law Gary Johnson & wife Patty and the children of his late brother-in-law Luke Johnson Jr: Luke and his wife Jenny, Peter and his wife Erika, Wirt, Seth and Kaleta Johnson.
Norman moved to Houston and in 1979 founded Southwestern Building Services. His Nickname was “Mr. Clean” and his dedication to quality janitorial services continues today.
While Norman remained in Houston to be close to his daughter Erica, part of his heart was always in New Jersey.  He had a wonderful “friends family” & maintained close relationships with “the boys” he knew since childhood.
Besides his love of traveling, especially to the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe and Jackson Hole, he adored skiing, snowshoeing, and animals.  He had seven dogs with Shirley, two whom survive him – Thelma & Luis.  Other pets included birds, a rabbit & aquariums.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to both Dr. Milind Javle of MD Anderson & Dr. John Posey with The Methodist Hospital.  The last two and a half weeks of life were made possible with dignity, respect and love by Caring Hands Hospice, Cynthia Lddo, R.N. & caregiver Yolanda Richard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Tails in Transition Animal Rescue, c/o Ashlee Pickle-pickle@gmail.com, The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey or MD Anderson, Pancreatic Cancer Research.
A private family service with Rabbi Pamela Silk officiating will be held October 4, 2017. Honorary Pallbearers are Jay Jacobson, Josh Fruchter, Mike Coslit, Bob Share, Paul Blacker, Lenny Tischler, Dante Rossi, Amy Hynick, Carl Malatesta, Steve Rosenstein, Ira Schwarz, Efrain Medina, Aura Gonzalez and Marie Travis.