At JFK, Johnn Norcum far right with (l to r)
Pete Diefenbach, Willie Mercado, Dora Kay, Jim Larsen and the late Gerry
Kash.
 Word
came early today that Johnn Norcum, born January 20,1935, died a few days
short of age 80 last Friday, January 9, 2015, after a long battle with
lung cancer.
He is survived by his wife Mary, age 92.
Johnn was one of the first sales guys for
a Middle East airline in USA, when he took the top spot for Kuwait Air
and set up offices in a building on Rockaway Blvd. back in the mid-1970s.
By the early 1980s John was working for
other carriers, but he remained a stalwart of the New York air cargo community
and in particular the JFK Air Cargo Association, where he served in various
capacities for the rest of his life.
President JFK Air Cargo Association Joseph
Badamo, who also serves as vice president Sales the Americas at Silk Way
Airlines, told FlyingTypers:
“Johnn was an institution for those
of us ‘growing up’ working at JFK cargo.
“His varied past and experience were
something to be admired and respected.
“He was always present and supportive
of all the organizations and his colleagues at JFK.
“For that we owe him a debt of thanks,”
Joe Badamo said.
In a moving tribute, Norcum’s long
time friend and retired former director of air cargo for the Port Authority
of New York & New Jersey (who today can be found directing tours of
the 9/11 site in Manhattan), the great Jim Larsen, said:
“Ever met a genuine Kentucky Colonel?
“Neither have I, but I think I came
pretty close when I got to know Johnn Norcum.
“His cultured southern drawl would
command my attention.
“A session with Johnn was always accompanied
by a joke or some witty remark, sometimes good and sometimes bordering
on the risqué, but somehow—southern charm and all—he
always got away with saying just about anything.
“Johnn was a pioneer in our industry,
in his own way, one of the founders of the JFK Air Cargo Association,
The Society of World Air Cargo Professionals, and a host of other organizations.
“Johnn could be found everywhere and
you could bet that everyone knew he was there.
“A friend and a fellow professional,
I will miss Johnn but will always carry him in my memory of the best years
of my aviation career,” Jim Larsen said.
Geoffrey
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