Saying good bye to a father who leaves a lasting legacy

It is still surreal to think at times that my father, Norm Poltenson, is gone. My dad was always healthy and vibrant. After he retired, anytime I would be out and about in the business community, someone would always ask how my father was doing. I would always say the same thing: “Livin’ the life …. busier than ever, doing yoga, baking bread, traveling with my mom, and hiking.” But when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it became difficult to answer that question. 

He dealt with the disease with grace; he never complained, and tried to do whatever he could to prolong his life to be with his family. His physical strength was dissipating but his mental determination was incredible. My father had a wonderful sense of humor which he still maintained in his final days. My respect for him grew even more in these last few months. When my father passed, I can honestly share that he did indeed live his life to the fullest.

He always had three areas that he dedicated his life to: his family, his faith, and his community. 

Dad was affectionately known as Saba Nor. Saba stands for grandfather in Hebrew and “nor” is just shortened from Norm because my son Tomer, the first of his 16 grandchildren, couldn’t pronounce it properly. The name then seemed to stick with the rest of the grandchildren. My dad set a wonderful example for his three children and the grandchildren to look up to and emulate. He left us a true legacy. 

In temple, he was also known as Nachum, that was his Hebrew name. He was devoted to Judaism, his love of Israel, and learning. He went to shul daily, and he always made time to study. I’m not sure if many people know this but my father had a special gift: his voice. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Many people had mistaken him at times for the cantor at temple because of his incredible and powerful voice. My father was called a mensch — defined as a person of integrity and honor — by everyone he encountered. 

In the business community, my father was known as Norm, Uncle Norm, and Dreamer. He gave back to both communities — the Jewish and business community. He did this through philanthropy and donating his time. My father had a huge heart. 

He enjoyed helping people by connecting them with others that could be of assistance for either personal or business reasons. Most of the support he provided was done privately; he was never looking for accolades. My father was humble. 

My father started The Central New York Business Journal in 1986, and I was able to be part of his dream. He built a business that was trustworthy as he was.

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with my dad. Often, I would be asked by other family businesses what’s it like to work with him? You hear of the many challenges that the 1st and 2nd generation family members have working with each other. I always shared the same story. It was a great experience. He was wonderful to work with, not only because it was a father/daughter relationship but also he was fair, he listened, shared his opinion when asked, and really let me make the decisions — whether they were good or bad. 

My father was a dreamer. You may not know that he had a business card with his title of “Dreamer” on it. His business acumen was sharp. He always did his research whether he was writing, speaking at an event, or meeting with someone. He was always well prepared. He worked long hours, was ahead of his time within the publishing and media industry, and made his dream a vital part of the Central New York landscape.

I always observed how my father treated his staff, business colleagues and anyone else he encountered. It was always the same. My father was always respectful and kind. 

One of the many lessons that my father taught me was to be sure that I took time for family. Over 20 years ago when I was raising my young children, my father was way ahead of the curve once again in allowing our staff to be flexible with their hours. He knew how important that was. Today, it is almost standard practice. He shared that it didn’t matter if someone worked 9-5, as long as they got the work done. 

I’d like to share during my father’s illness, I saw how strong my parents’ love was — my mom’s devotion to him and how incredibly strong she was helping him navigate this horrible disease. I realized that they have a love that will endure forever in this lifetime and the next. 

I am blessed to be Norm’s daughter. My father’s legacy will live on forever within my brothers, Meir and Yehoshua, and myself. But most importantly, his legacy will live on with his 16 grandchildren and the great grandchildren to follow.                 

Marny Nesher is president of The Central New York Business Journal. She has been owner since 2014 and has worked in the business in a variety of different roles since 1994.

It is still surreal to think at times that my father, Norm Poltenson, is gone. My dad was always healthy and vibrant. After he retired, anytime I would be out and about in the business community, someone would always ask how my father was doing. I would always say the same thing: “Livin’ the life …. busier than ever, doing yoga, baking bread, traveling with my mom, and hiking.” But when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it became difficult to answer that question. 

He dealt with the disease with grace; he never complained, and tried to do whatever he could to prolong his life to be with his family. His physical strength was dissipating but his mental determination was incredible. My father had a wonderful sense of humor which he still maintained in his final days. My respect for him grew even more in these last few months. When my father passed, I can honestly share that he did indeed live his life to the fullest.

He always had three areas that he dedicated his life to: his family, his faith, and his community. 

Dad was affectionately known as Saba Nor. Saba stands for grandfather in Hebrew and “nor” is just shortened from Norm because my son Tomer, the first of his 16 grandchildren, couldn’t pronounce it properly. The name then seemed to stick with the rest of the grandchildren. My dad set a wonderful example for his three children and the grandchildren to look up to and emulate. He left us a true legacy. 

In temple, he was also known as Nachum, that was his Hebrew name. He was devoted to Judaism, his love of Israel, and learning. He went to shul daily, and he always made time to study. I’m not sure if many people know this but my father had a special gift: his voice. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Many people had mistaken him at times for the cantor at temple because of his incredible and powerful voice. My father was called a mensch — defined as a person of integrity and honor — by everyone he encountered. 

In the business community, my father was known as Norm, Uncle Norm, and Dreamer. He gave back to both communities — the Jewish and business community. He did this through philanthropy and donating his time. My father had a huge heart. 

He enjoyed helping people by connecting them with others that could be of assistance for either personal or business reasons. Most of the support he provided was done privately; he was never looking for accolades. My father was humble. 

My father started The Central New York Business Journal in 1986, and I was able to be part of his dream. He built a business that was trustworthy as he was.

I was blessed with the opportunity to work with my dad. Often, I would be asked by other family businesses what’s it like to work with him? You hear of the many challenges that the 1st and 2nd generation family members have working with each other. I always shared the same story. It was a great experience. He was wonderful to work with, not only because it was a father/daughter relationship but also he was fair, he listened, shared his opinion when asked, and really let me make the decisions — whether they were good or bad. 

My father was a dreamer. You may not know that he had a business card with his title of “Dreamer” on it. His business acumen was sharp. He always did his research whether he was writing, speaking at an event, or meeting with someone. He was always well prepared. He worked long hours, was ahead of his time within the publishing and media industry, and made his dream a vital part of the Central New York landscape.

I always observed how my father treated his staff, business colleagues and anyone else he encountered. It was always the same. My father was always respectful and kind. 

One of the many lessons that my father taught me was to be sure that I took time for family. Over 20 years ago when I was raising my young children, my father was way ahead of the curve once again in allowing our staff to be flexible with their hours. He knew how important that was. Today, it is almost standard practice. He shared that it didn’t matter if someone worked 9-5, as long as they got the work done. 

I’d like to share during my father’s illness, I saw how strong my parents’ love was — my mom’s devotion to him and how incredibly strong she was helping him navigate this horrible disease. I realized that they have a love that will endure forever in this lifetime and the next. 

I am blessed to be Norm’s daughter. My father’s legacy will live on forever within my brothers, Meir and Yehoshua, and myself. But most importantly, his legacy will live on with his 16 grandchildren and the great grandchildren to follow.                 

Marny Nesher is president of The Central New York Business Journal. She has been owner since 2014 and has worked in the business in a variety of different roles since 1994.