Norman Joseph Sinai's Obituary
Norman Joseph Sinai (A.K.A. Mr. Corvette)Born on October 30th, 1939 in Oakland, CA.Passed on April 5th, 2018 in Pleasanton CA.Norman Sinai was a proud native of Oakland, California, born and raised, and lived in the Bay Area his entire life.Above all else, Norman was a family man. The time he spent with his children and grandchildren was always treasured by him. His grandkids knew they had the coolest grandpa ever and every minute with him was filled with fun and laughter. His children and grandchildren feel blessed to have inherited his strong work ethic, integrity and honesty in business and in life.Norman was a charismatic and flamboyant person with a great sense of humor – a true lover of people; he had a very kind and generous heart, as those who knew him would attest to.Norman was known as one of the West Coast’s most prestigious auto dealers, spending 48 years in the auto sales business, where he made many of his long time friendships. Norman was at one time the largest used Corvette dealer in the US and considered one of the foremost experts on Corvettes and classic cars, which were his passion. Norman exhibited that passion in the cars he owned, drove and sold, from every year and model of Corvette to almost every make of luxury and classic car ranging from Lamborghini, Cobra, Ferrari, Rolls Royce and many more.He restored and customized several Corvettes as well as a vintage fire truck that he later sold to a Las Vegas casino’s car collection. He and his cars have been featured in countless magazines, news articles and television segments and even the Jay Leno show. Norman was a brilliant businessman, a pioneer in the car business, and was renowned throughout the US in the Corvette, luxury and classic car world. Norman shared many great stories revolving around his decades in the car business and he would often share them with friends, and they in turn have many great stories related to Norman himself. He was truly a unique person.He loved all things automotive, contemporary technology as well as antiques, and was considered somewhat of a renaissance man as his love and knowledge of antiques, jewelry, vintage collectables and all things automotive were extensive. This extensive knowledge allowed him to accept items of value in just about any form in trade as a down payment for cars at his dealerships allowing him to coin one of his many phrases he became renowned for “I’ll take anything in trade!”Norman left behind a golden reputation, as anyone who encountered Norman in either business dealings or on a personal level knew. Norman both took care of people and recognized their strengths. Norman was a one-of-a-kind individual and will be deeply missed.Norman Sinai is preceded in death by his parents Allan and Betty Sinai and his son Harold Sinai. Norman is survived by his children; Carrie Sinai, Beth Sinai-McRitchie, Norman Sinai II, and their mother Toni Sinai. Grandchildren; Alexandria Calderon, Holly McRitchie, Kelly McRitchie, Nicholas Sinai, Jessica Sinai, Chase Sinai, Reese Sinai, Ashley Sinai and great-grandson Tristen, nephew Rick Anixter, niece Lori Anixter, his son-in-law Kevin McRitchie, daughter-in-law Kathy Sinai. Funeral services will be held on Sunday April 22nd at 2:00, at Chapel Of The Chimes in Hayward CA, in the Chapel Building, 32992 Mission Blvd, Hayward CA 94544.
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