When Gil Nordel first came to work on Marco Island one of his normal daily duties was to drive his personal car down the sandy road to the airport runway. When airplanes were coming in after dark, Gil was always stationed at the end of the airfield with the headlights positioned so that incoming pilots could see to land. After the plane had taxied to a stop, Gil would unload the passenger’s luggage and drive the guests back over the sandy track to the Marco Beach Hotel.
After Gil unloaded the luggage and escorted the new arrivals into the lobby, he would then slip behind the front desk to assign rooms and check everyone in. If the travel-weary guests were hungry, Gil would take room service orders, alert the chef, and then later deliver room service to the latest Marco beach visitors.
During the day Gil ran the beach operation. Early every morning Gil would raise the colorful sails on a fleet of Sunfish sailboats. With the Chef busy in the kitchen and the scent of bacon and eggs drifting on the offshore breeze, Marco’s four miles of white crescent beach was ready for a day in the sun.
When guests would arrive with vacation novels and newspapers in hand, Gil would be ready with towels and Chaise lounge chairs to tailor-make the day into something really special.
When the day was done Gil celebrated the incredible gulf sunsets and socialized with beach going guests at the Marco Beach “Sandbar.”
Forty years later, Gil still reports to work and greets the guests at the beach at Marriott’s Marco Beach Resort. The Chef is still up bright and early to prepare the savory scents of breakfast for the offshore breeze, the crescent white beach still stretches out for miles, and there are colorful sails raised at the waters edge to beckon new-age visitors for something really special.
Although today, Gil’s shining star example is emulated by 800 fellow associates at Marriott’s Marco Beach Resort.
January 9th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I was visiting the Resort when Mr. Marriott was there. What a spectacular place!! The weather was beautiful. the staff so attentive and to have someone so important on property. WOW!
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Hi there,
After working there for so many years (17!), it is nice to see all these blogs about the property. 3 years separated from Marriott, it is especially wonderful to see Gil, Rick and Mr. Marriott in the pictures. Keep the blogs coming because I love to see all the resort has to offer. Marco is a fantastic island. The place looks heavenly . . . and it is.
Dana Goetz : )
February 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I’m not sure if you know Gil is in the hospital. His mind is still sharp as a tack but he’s having some issues getting around. He’s at the new hospital Physicians Medical Center on Collier Blvd in Naples if you wanted to say hi.
May 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Hi everyone! I am Gil Nordell’s only granddaughter and I thought I would pass the word on to everyone who knew and loved my Grandpa. He passed away late last night. We were all told that it was a very peaceful passing and that he knew he had God by his side and was ready to go.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hi! I am Karrie’s daughter so I’m Gil’s Great granddaughter and I just want to say although he passed a while ago, and I never got to meet him, and to this day I really miss him, and if anyone who met him and is a good friend of his you are one very lucky person! I remember my mom told me something about him, when I was about a few months old he made me a hat that said my name but he put Moriah instead of Mariah! ha ha!