Martin Press

Martin Press passed away on May 19 in hospice care in Delray Beach, where he briefly resided after thirty-one years in Ormond Beach. Born in East New York, Brooklyn, in 1930, Martin attended Brooklyn Technical High School and City College. He worked for many years as an account executive for Shelburne, a men's shirt manufacturer. In his early retirement years in Ormond Beach, Martin wrote reported pieces for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and a newsletter for his community, Willow Pond. His opinions on the issues of the day appeared frequently on the News-Journal letters page. Martin was a volunteer counselor for SCORE, an organizer and adviser in numerous political campaigns, and a longtime board member of Citizens for Ormond Beach. As an activist, he was involved in the Save the Loop campaign and the campaign to establish Ormond's beachfront park. Throughout his life, Martin was respected for his honesty and integrity, his knowledge and insight. A man of many pastimes, Martin enjoyed classical music, especially opera. He loved nature and was an avid bird watcher. A crossword puzzle champ, he completed the Sunday New York Times puzzle each week in pen. Most of all, Martin was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—a problem solver who never hesitated to sacrifice for his family, always ready to support them in the choices they made. He spent 68 years in joyful marriage to his soul mate, Rita. In his last two and a half months of life, after reinjuring his hip and breaking a femur in a fall, Martin convalesced and then transitioned with the grace, dignity, and good humor that he showed throughout his life. In addition to his wife, Rita, Martin is survived by his children, Sharon, Stacey, and Alex; his grandchildren, Jessica, Michelle, Jackie, Marissa, and Danielle; and his great-grandchildren, Parker, Dylan, and Ellie. We will miss him terribly.