The legacy of Norm Andrzejewski can be found in the rebuilt walls of homes damaged by flooding in New Orleans and North Carolina, as well as Florida and here in Central New York. It’s also in the form of wheelchair ramps and student desks. Andrzejewski died Oct. 1 at age 82 after a year-long battle with stomach cancer. Andrzejewski founded the non-profit relief organization called Operation Northern Comfort, which became associated with a wide variety of projects.
The circumstances surrounding the work by ONC and its volunteers were always challenging. The first of what became dozens of relief trips began in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the gulf coast. There have been many storms since then, with no shortage of wind and water damage. But Andrzejewski took solace in knowing he and his team of volunteers were helping people in need.
"The people that we serve are the people that can't make it on their own," Andrzejewski told WAER News in the fall of 2019 before heading to North Carolina. "The people that do ask don't have the resources. They are taken aback by a hurricane, and they're just hopeless. That's another thing. We bring hope."
The work they did varied, depending on the need…and if there was another storm that struck the same area.
"Instead of doing rebuilding, we'll be doing mucking out again."
Operation Northern Comfort cancelled another trip to the Outer Banks in early 2020, and instead focused its efforts closer to home in Oneida after the Halloween flood of 2019.
When the pandemic forced students to learn remotely from home, Andrzejewski and volunteers jumped into action building more than a thousand desks.
"This is such a hoot," Andrzejewski told WAER News in early 2021. "There's a ton of people out there that have said to me, 'I have to do something, I have to do something! This COVID stuff is driving me crazy!' Well, I have something for you. You can make desks, you can deliver desks."
He told us that he and his volunteers also benefited from the work they did, whether it was the desks, homes, or wheelchair ramps.
"My work with Operation Northern Comfort has probably saved my life," Andrzejewski told WAER News in 2019. "It gives me some reason to get up in the morning. A number of people have told me this. It's a life-changing experience."
Andrzejewski spent a career a state health care administrator. He’s survived by his wife of 61 years, six children, and 13 grandchildren. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, October 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Maurer Funeral Home, 300 Second St, Liverpool. A celebration of Norm's life is being planned for later this year.
