Ortonville- An entertainer, designer, and family man’attributes of long-time resident Norman Kapson whose life encompassed a host of both enterprising and colorful activities.
Kapson died June 3.
He was 75.
A Detroit native, born in 1930 Kapson attended Cass Technical High School and graduated in 1948. He served in the Michigan National Guard from 1948 to 1956 and moved to Ortonville in 1960.
In 1965, he founded Kapson Design Service located south of Mill Street in Ortonville, where he developed several specialized automated machines for the auto industry. He operated the business until 2000.
‘He was way ahead of his time regarding automation in the auto business and special machinery,? said his son Danny Kapson. ‘The big auto companies wanted him to come to work in the south Detroit area but he loved Ortonville and stayed, rasing his family here. He was just the type of person that loved to talk to his neighbors.?
Kapson’s love for interest started in 1937 when he entered a talent contest at Higgins Elementary School in Detroit. According to old newspaper articles, he won first place by singing ‘Shortnin Bread.?
Kapson’s love for the theater was rekindled in 1966, when his daughter Caren Kapson then 11-years-old, earned a part in a community theatre play ‘Oliver.?
‘The director of the play met my dad and said he look like the ‘Oliver? character Mr. Bumble, so he cast him for the part,? said Caren. ‘I played the boy’s part, Charlie Bates along side with my dad. After that the rest is history.?
Kapson appeared in more than 100 commercials in both print and television for a variety of companies including Meijers, Kmart and Coca-Cola. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He also founded the Students of Theater for the Advancement of Good Entertainment or STAGE group.
Village mayor Sue Bess worked with Kapson forming the STAGE, a group of local people who combined their talents producing a variety of plays in the area for about 12 years starting in 1977.
‘It was his passion,? said Bess, about the local theater group. ‘He was so proud of STAGE, it’s what he really wanted to do’good entertainment for Ortonville. Norm either produced or directed every production we did. He made you look good as actress. He knew the script, he knew his lines and he knew your lines too.?
In the early 1990s Kapson stood in for actor Danny DeVeto while shooting the 1992 film ‘Hoffa? in Detroit. The movie earned two Oscar nominations, for Cinematography and Makeup and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. He also stood in for DeVeto in the 1994 movie ‘Renaissance Man? also filmed in Detroit.
Kapson served as Brandon Township Supervisor from December 1968 to November 1970. He was appointed to the position after the resignation of then supervisor Richard Wilcox who was elected to the County Board of Supervisors.
Kapson also served as Treasurer of the Brandon Fire & Police Board, Village Council Member, Police Commissioner, and Chairman of the Citizens for Improvement of Schools. He also ran for Brandon Township supervisor in 2004.
Marilyn Featherston was a neighbor of the Kapson’s for about 10 years.
‘Norm was a happy go lucky kind of guy,? said Featherston. ‘He made you laugh and seemed to always have a story to tell. I also recall his Cadillacs’he always had one.?
Don Wills a township resident for 70 years served on the Brandon Police and Fire Board with Kapson for about six years.
‘Norm through in a lot of humor,? said Wills. ‘He was very community minded and did a lot of good things for the community.?
A funeral service was set for June 8 at the Sherman Wilk Funeral Home, Ortonville.