Marty leaves behind an indelible legacy, as his life touched all corners of the communities that he engaged with. From his early days as a space rocket engineer (yes, space rocket engineer!) to his formative years building and running Tracks Nightclubs across the country to his final professional chapter as a prominent real estate investor in Denver's thriving RiNo Art District (known more commonly worldwide as "Martyville"), Marty had a positive impact on the countless lives he encountered.
Not bad a for a poor Jewish kid from Brooklyn!
Never one to brag about his success, Marty would always say "I'm doing alright" regardless of the circumstances. Well, fortunately for all of us Marty did a lot better than just "alright" and his generosity, encouragement and wisdom enabled and inspired so many of us to experience our own respective successes in life and work.
On August 4th, 2019 - which would have been Marty's 77th birthday - over 600 of Marty's family, friends and longtime associates gathered to celebrate Marty's incredible life's journey. Please take a moment to watch our memorial video and the videos from others who joined us that day.
With love,
Kay, Lisa, Linda, Sarah, Andy, Grace and the EXDO/Tracks Family
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT I KNOW THE ANSWER IS A FREE DRINK!"
"The definition of a good party is whether it's busy or not"
"When I was poor I was a slob. Now that I'm rich, I'm eccentric!"
Testimonials
We'd love it if you shared a story or favorite memory of Marty with us.
8 entries.
Randy Hardwick from Chicago July 30, 2019
Marty was my friend, my mentor, and the greatest card counter who ever lived. We shared some crazy adventures and a friendship that endured across more years than either of us actually expected to live. I am grateful to have known Marty and will never forget him.
Thanks to Marty, I was able to make my dreams come true. When I was a new, baby DJ in 1988, my biggest dream was to DJ at Tracks (DC). I knew that if I was a Tracks DJ, I really had "made it", because Tracks, in my mind, was the most legendary club in existence. Tracks had the best DJ's, music and performances in all of DC and I wanted to be a part of it so bad. Two years later (and two auditions later) I finally landed a gig - which turned out to be a beautiful 10 year relationship with Marty and his vision, playing music in his club. My dreams had come true and I know without a doubt that being a Tracks DJ helped me to land other wonderful gigs across the country, and this would have never happened if not for Marty. Tracks in Denver was one of these clubs and it was so good to see Marty whenever I would play there. The last time I saw Marty was at the Tracks DC reunion and his smile was infectious! I will always remember that smile and his hugs. Many of the dear friendships I have today are because of Tracks and the music. Thank you Marty for making YOUR dreams come true, for that allowed the dreams of many to come true as well. I am forever humbled and grateful to have known you.
By the time I began talking and working with Marty, he was already a legend. Brighton, RiNo, and other parts of the city were still in and just coming of the recession after years (even decades) of disinvestment. But Marty was not only cheerleading the change and opportunity (as only Marty could do in his unique way), he was already wonder what was needing to be done - what was next - to ensure Brighton/RiNo was a place that still had a vibe, a place you wanted to go. A sage is some one who not only sees the future, but bends others to join to him or her into achieving the future. Many will talk of Marty's vision, I was always taken with Marty's actions and will to achieve those visions.
My heart is filled with sadness for you, Kay and all your wonderful family. Marty and I connected aboard a cruise ship. He was working the Times crossword in pen! I was impressed and we began to chat. The rest of that cruise I was privileged to be included in your family, Marty, and shared many happy moments. You surprised me by paying me a visit while you vacationed in Florida. You, Kay, my husband Paul and I shared a terrible dinner at a local restaurant but we had a grand time catching up on family news. Since that visit, my beloved Prince has died, so I have come to realize grief. I feel thankful that I was given the chance to know you, Marty, and I cherish memories of your brilliant mind and funny personality. RIP my dear. As ever your friend, Lisa Didier
Our friendship goes back more than 50 years, all of it delightful. Marty is remembered as very bright, warm and knowledgeable, creative, and a memorable character. He was a people resource without peer, as we're sure this memorial party will confirm. We'll miss him.
Leslie and Howard Farkas
Marty was responsible for many firsts in my life. My first failed party promotion, first time in a gay bar, first time in a strip club among some of them. The first he would probably be most proud of however, was my introduction into adult films. I was maybe 12 or 13 at the time, and Marty's residence was at the Dragon building where my father's office was. Dad took me up to see uncle Marty. His cat quickly scurried off his desk, and Dad and Marty started talking and I was watching whatever sports Marty had up on the screen. Marty, shirtless, at his desk with a 75 inch projection screen placed in front of us, grabs the remote, and says "Danny, your boy seen anything like this yet?" and flips the channel to a porno. Dad freaks out, starts with a mix of angry yelling and laughter, his typical belly roll that many of us were used to, "TURN IT OFF MARTY! TURN IT OFF!!!" Marty in his Brooklyn accent, laughing, "Alright Danny, no big deal...it's off" Years later, someone had taken off with a collection of Marty's collection of films. For years, Marty looking to solve this mystery, with me being the primary suspect, would ask me where his collection was. I would of course flatly deny it. I'm sad for Marty that we never got to the bottom of it, and one would assume by the arch of this story, that in death Marty would finally get his admission. Alas, I can not confess to something I couldn't do, but if the real perp is out there, and you're out there, it's time to free me from this prison of doubt. 🙂 Marty, if you're reading this, it wasn't me. 🙂
