WILMINGTON — Martin Liss, 89, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 26, 2019, surrounded by family. He was a longtime resident of Middletown, New York, and Miami Beach and Aventura, Florida. More recently, he lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Santa Monica, California.
He was born in Brooklyn in 1929 to Al and Hannah Liss. Along with his fraternal twin Irwin, he was one of the original incubated babies on display at the Coney Island Boardwalk. As a boy, after leaving Brooklyn with his family, Martin spent his boyhood in upstate New York.
Martin graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Business Administration. This served him well as he joined his family’s tire business, started a maintenance business and later teamed with his wife to open a women’s clothing boutique, The Caravan, all based in Middletown, New York.
Always the astute real estate investor, after retirement, he partnered with wife, Barbara, to become realtors in Florida. Affectionately known as Marty, he was a salt-of-the-earth guy to all who knew him, always there to help, whether rescuing someone stranded in snowstorm, sharing life lessons and wisdom with his loved ones, building everything from soups to nuts, or hosting nieces, nephews and grandchildren along with their many friends in his beautiful condo by the sea.
A devoted husband and father, Marty’s first love was his family, and his second was a three-way tie between ice cream, old movies and travel. With his wife, he visited five continents and traveled the U.S. in their motorhome. Friends and family relied on his talents as a Mr. Fixit, always with a tool box in tow or as a master turkey-carver. One of his proudest accomplishments was the family home he built with his own hands.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Barbara Liss of Wilmington; cherished children, Linda Liss-Bronstein (Andrew Bronstein) of Leland, Debra Liss of Santa Monica, California, and Jonathan Liss (Chad Smith) of Los Angeles, California; adored grandchildren, Jacob Bronstein (Michelle Yee) of Santa Cruz, California, and Madeline Bronstein (Spencer Denham) of New York, New York; and an enchanting great-grand-daughter, Emma Claire of Santa Cruz, California. He is also survived by his sister, June Fisch of Long Island, New York; and 15 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Sheldon and Irwin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 30, at Wilmington Funeral Chapel 1535 S. 41st St., Wilmington. Burial will be held in the Temple of Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, May 30, and from 2 to 5 p.m., Friday, May 31, at the home of his daughter, Linda Liss-Bronstein.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to NESTUSA.org , a global literacy initiative; or by mail to NESTUSA, 1204 Main St., Suite 535, Branford, CT 06405.
Share online condolences with the family at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
