Obituary for Norman Shopay

 Norman Thomas Shopay

December 13, 1950 – November 10, 2012

 

Norman Thomas Shopay, 61, of Benicia, CA passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 10^th.  He was born in New Britain, CT, grew up in Bristol, CT and graduated from Bristol Eastern High School in 1968. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War from 1968-1972. Following his discharge, he graduated from Southampton College of Long Island University with a B.S. degree in Marine Science and Geology.  He later attended graduate school at Texas A&M studying Geology and Environmental Studies.

 

Norman worked for the State of California, Department of Toxic Substances Control as a hydrogeologist and grant writer for several years. In 1992, Norman and his wife Nancy formed their own environmental consulting firm, Envirometrix Corporation. In 2010, Norman became  the General Manager for the McKinleyville Community Services District in Humboldt County.

 

Norman was President of the McKinleyville Rotary Club; he was an avid fisherman and golfer, a good cook and a collector of fine wine.  He was a certified boat captain and had a private pilot’s license.  Norman enjoyed travelling and spending time with good friends.

 

Norman is survived by Nancy, his wife of 40 years and his two dogs Jake & Linzi.

 

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 19^th at St. Dominic’s Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia, CA.

Donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society’s Vallejo Relay for Life. Arrangements are under the direction of Passalacqua Funeral Chapel, Benicia. Please visit the online tribute at www.passalacquafuneralchapel.com.

MCSD Manager Norman Shopay died Saturday

By Jack Durham
Press Editor

Norman Shopay, the manager of the McKinleyville Community Services District, died Saturday, Nov. 10, of an apparent heart attack. He was 61.
Shopay worked for the district for three years and was well-liked by staff and community members. Just three days before he died, Shopay was highly praised by the MCSD Board of Directors, which lauded Shopay for his contributions to the district and voted to give him a salary increase.
“Norman has done an outstanding job,” Board President Dennis Mayo said at the Nov. 7 meeting.
“Not only will he be missed as the leader of MCSD and as a good friend but also in the community with his efforts in Rotary and on the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee”, said MCSD Director Helen Edwards.
“I have worked for MCSD for 23 years, for three different General Managers but Norman brought a perspective to the position I had never experienced and he taught me many things that will forever influence me. On a personal note, Norman was a very unique, caring and gentle man and I will miss our conversations and his sense of humor”, said Greg Orsini, Operations Director for MCSD.
Before he was hired by the MCSD in 2009, Shopay lived in Benicia and worked for the state Department of Water Resources. He had more than 20 years of environmental and water experience.
Shopay is survived by his wife Nancy.
The MCSD Board of Directors scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 to discuss the situation.

Below is the agenda for the meeting:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

MCKINLEYVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WILL BE HELD AT:

McKinleyville Business Office

1656 Sutter Rd.

McKinleyville, California

Tuesday November 13, 2012
10:00 A.M.

 

AGENDA

 

CALL TO ORDER 

 

ROLL CALL

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

 

Items may be added to the Agenda in accordance with Section 54954.2(b)(2) of the Government Code (Brown Act), upon a determination by two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body present at the time of the meeting, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present, that there is a need to take immediate action and that the need for action came to the attention of the McKinleyville Community Services District after the Agenda was posted. 

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

These are items of a Quasi-Judicial or Legislative nature.  Public comments relevant to these proceedings are invited. 

 

NO PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED

 

D. CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Consent Calendar items are expected to be routine and non-controversial, to be acted upon by the Board of Directors at one time without discussion. If any Board member, staff member, or interested person requests that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar, it shall be removed so that it may be acted upon separately. 

 

NO CONSENT CALENDAR SCHEDULED

 

 

 

E. NEW BUSINESS 

 

E.1 Direct staff to draft and publish a formal public announcement regarding the untimely passing of Norman Shopay and statement of MCSD appreciation.

 

E.2 Appoint Greg Orsini (or alternative) Interim General Manager

 

Field candidate nominations from Board for Interim General Manager Appointment

Appoint Interim General Manager

 

E.3 Direct Staff to prepare a list of ongoing District projects for presentation to the Board for prioritization at a subsequently noticed special meeting of the Board

 

E.4 Discuss and set schedule for a memorial in honor of Norman Shopay

 

E.5 Discuss and set schedule for subsequent Special Meeting(s) of the MCSD Board of Directors

 

F. REPORTS

 

No specific action is required on these items, but the Board may discuss any particular item as required.

 

NO REPORTS SCHEDULED

 

G. PUBLIC COMMENT AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 

 

Any person may address the Board at this time upon any subject not identified on this Agenda but within the jurisdiction of the McKinleyville Community Services District; however, any matter that requires action will be referred to staff for a report of action at a subsequent Committee or Board meeting.  As to matters on the Agenda, an opportunity will be given to address the Board when the matter is considered.  Comments are limited to 3 minutes.  Letters should be used for complex issues.  

 

H. CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSION 

 

At any time during the regular session, the Board may adjourn to closed session to consider existing or anticipated litigation, liability claims, real property negotiations, license and permit determinations, threats to security, public employee appointments, personnel matters, evaluations and discipline, labor negotiations, or to discuss with legal counsel matters within the attorney-client privilege.  

 

 

I. ADJOURNMENT

Posted 10:00A.M. Monday November 12, 2012

 

Front Page 11.7.12

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