Norm Munday Jr. was born on August 17, 1969, to Bernadette and Norm Munday of Fairview Park, Ohio. He grew up in the Westpark area of Cleveland and attended St. Mel's elementary school. In 1984, the Munday's moved to Fairview Park where Norm attended Fairview High School from 1985 until his graduation in 1988. Throughout his high school years he excelled in academics while at the same time achieving recognition as an exceptional wrestler. After graduation, Norm went on to Cleveland State University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in marketing. Through the co-op program offered by Cleveland State, he landed a job in Industrial Sales. In 1994 he was transferred to Charlotte, North Carolina but a year later he was relocated back to Cleveland. Just beginning his very successful career, he proudly purchased his first home at the age of 24; a small bungalow in the Old Brooklyn section of Cleveland. Throughout this venture, Norm learned a great deal while at the same time realizing that there was no remodeling project too difficult for him to accomplish. Never afraid to try, he would research the projects on the internet and thereby taught himself how to lay roofing shingles, install windows, apply wallpaper, remodel kitchens, and lay ceramic tile. He often referred to his home as "the money pit". Comments like these were quite typical of Norm's great sense of humor -- one of the many characteristics that endeared him to his many friends.
Norm's friends describe him as a "fiery inspiration to everyone around him." He was blessed with the ability to make anyone he was with feel at ease no matter what the situation. He had a remarkable way of reaching out and touching so many people with the right words of encouragement -- to make them feel as though any goal could be accomplished. He was always there to listen, lend a hand of make you laugh.
Fulfilling his dreams and accomplishing all of his goals were very important and a way of life to Norm. These principles were evident throughout his entire lifetime as a scholar and later as a successful businessman. He was also a courageous athlete and outdoorsman. As a mountain climber, he summated Mt. Rainier and several mountains in Mexico and Equador and had plans to climb Mt. McKinley in May of 1998. He backpacked through Europe after graduating from college and competed in numerous triathlons and iron man competitions. He rock climbed, sky dived, kayaked, canoed, scuba dived, wind surfed; anything that brought him to nature and the outdoors. To some, it make have seemed that these challenges were dangerous and maybe even a little crazy, but to Norm they were the fuel of his existence.
Another of Norm's great passions was traveling. His lifelong dream was to cycle across America. Finally, in September of 1997 at the age of 28 he had arranged this adventure. He booked a flight to San Diego and began his journey from California to Florida. While traveling through Texas, after bicycling over 1400 miles, he was struck by a car and killed.
Refusing to believe that this vibrant young man could die for nothing, Norm's friends and family believe that something positive can result from this tragedy. As a tribute to his life and in order to carry on his beliefs, the Norman J. Munday Memorial Scholarship for Outward Bound has been established.
