Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Martin DAMSKY Obituary
Born Feb. 21, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Jacob and Rosa Damsky, he graduated from Hampton High School in 1952, the College of William and Mary with a degree in Chemistry in 1955, and the Medical College of Virginia in 1959. Martin served as an officer in the United States Air Force as a dentist in Biloxi, Miss. On July 4, 1965, he married Rosalind Schatzman and with her had two wonderful children, Leslie and Michael.
He moved to Hampton, Va., in 1945, and lived in both Newport News and Williamsburg. He ran a successful dental practice for 38 years until retiring in 1999. He was a well respected member of the community, and after retirement volunteered his time and skill as a dentist at the Old Towne Dental Clinic in Williamsburg. His love of play and community were exemplified in his last retirement job as a Busch Gardens train engineer.
Martin was an active member in various organizations, including the United Jewish Community, the Virginia Dental Association, and the Peninsula Dental Association. He was also a member of Rodef Sholom Temple for 35 years.
He was always quick with a smile, kind to everyone he met, and never shy about starting up a conversation. As important as dentistry was to Martin, more so were the relationships with his patients. But above all, Martin loved his family, and always made time to do things with them.
An avid golfer, Martin enjoyed spending time with his many friends in weekly games on the links, especially his Thursday afternoon golfing group. But his love of sports did not stop at the back nine. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of baseball, especially its golden years, and especially enjoyed his stint as the team dentist for the Hampton Gulls hockey team. He also enjoyed games of Jeopardy with his family, cards with his friends, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Rosalind Damsky; daughter, Leslie Harper (Vincent); son, Michael Damsky; sister, Sylvia Wollner of Calif.; brother-in-law, Larry Schatzman (Barbara) of N.J.; and many other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2010, at Rodef Sholom Temple, 318 Whealton Road, Hampton, VA 23666, officiated by Rabbi Gilah Dror. Burial will follow in the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice House of Williamsburg, 4445 Powhatan Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martin DAMSKY
Tom Shanks
May 13, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Dr. Damsky's family. My family had the great pleasure of seeing him at least once every 6 months for over 20 years. He was always quick with a smile, a joke, or a bit of baseball trivia. I'm so glad he got to live his dream as an engineer. May God bless and comfort you in this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Tom, Barbara, Greg, and Karen Shanks
Christine Autry
May 11, 2010
I had the pleasure of working as Dr. Damsky's assistant for 2 years prior to his retirement and it was such a pleasure. He truly loved his work and the patients that came to see him. It saddens me that such a truly wonderful, loving and cheerful man has left us, may he rest in peace.
Roz and Family, you have remained in my thoughts and prayers since the news of his passing was given to me. He will forever have a place in my heart.
Kay Hampton
April 24, 2010
Dr. Damsky was our family dentist from the 70s until he retired. His bridge work in my mouth is still noted for its excellence. My husband passed on April 4 so I am sure they are somewhere now telling jokes and debating the large size of Dr. Damsky's fingers.
Stan Wellins
April 21, 2010
Roz and Family. I will sorely miss my old friend Marty We were roomates @ MCV that first year of Dental school and spent many hundreds of hours studying, especially the late nights in the Egyptian building doing our best to get through neuro-anatomy.
He introduced me to contract bridge which we used for our study breaks(A LOT). He was such a special guy and I will always have a fond place in my memories.
God bless him and you all for sharing his wonderful life.
Darlene Roles
April 21, 2010
Mike & family -- so sorry to hear about your dad. I didn't know him but I know he had to be a wonderful man to have such a good son. My prayers are with you all. Darlene Roles
April 20, 2010
Dr. Damsky was a great client of Suntrust Bank at Kingsmill. He will never be forgotten. Our deepest symphathy goes to his family.
SunTrust Team @ Kingsmill
Amy Dudley
April 19, 2010
Divine love makes for divine life.
Anne Henry
April 19, 2010
I am so sorry that you lost such a wonderful family member. It was an honor to learn what an amazing man Dr. Damsky was. As a friend of Leslie's, I can truly say that what he taught her about being kind and friendly to everyone truly lives on through her.
April 19, 2010
Dear Leslie and family,
The third grade team at Alvey Elementary expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. May your memories give you comfort.
The Third Grade Team at Alvey
April 18, 2010
Marty was a boyhood friend, Florence,
South Carolina (1943). We met again
as students at George Wythe Junior
High (Hampton). Our mothers were
close. Marty studied while we played.
Baseball? Newport News Dodgers and Sussex
Hampton (we played and his Dad coached)
He was a man of principle and patriotism
whose final e-mails invoked Israel and
the Holocaust. From the sandbox
at Circle School in South Carolina,
where we pushed our lead replicas of
the U.S. battle fleet, I see him as
a boy of eight with his life ahead
as a task (there was little money)
but for a moment as we were.
Dan Fine, New Mexico
April 18, 2010
Our deepest sympathies are with your family at this time.
Scott & Helen Christian
April 17, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort.
Marla Adelman Puckett
Valarie Adelman Blaes
April 17, 2010
Leslie, Michael, Mrs. Damsky and extended family:
I am so sorry to have learned of Dr. Damsky's passing. May he rest in peace.
April 17, 2010
I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Damsky's passing. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
Pamela Adelman Das (daughter of Howard and Ernestine Adelman)
Stephen Belvin
April 17, 2010
We are very sorry to hear of your loss, Dr. Damsky was a wonderful man. He was dentist to myself and my wife Beverly(Epps) Belvin when we were children up through my adulthood and also for our son. He will always be remembered for his smile, sense of humor, and his singing that put everyone at ease. He will be missed greatly. We loved him.
Joe Familant
April 17, 2010
Dear Roz, Leslie and Michael-Shocked to hear of Marty's demise. You were such wonderful neighbors. My family joins with me in expressing heartfelt sympathy and remorse.
Ed Hamill
April 17, 2010
Marty's obituary perfectly captures his superb spirit. He was a grand guy with a sharp mind and a great wit. I miss you Marty.....
jerry hansbrough
April 17, 2010
To the family and many friends of Dr. Damsky: I am saddened to read of the passing of one of the nicest human beings I have ever known. He cared for me and my family for more than 34 years and saw us through life's journey- good times and bad. His wonderful sense of humor was the best medicine he could have given my children.He was special! Jerry Hansbrough
Hal Farber
April 17, 2010
Dear Roz and Family
April 17, 2010
Dear Roz,Lesie,Michael, just read about your loving husband and father in the newspaper. We will always remember Marty as our first across the hall neighbor when we were first married and expecting our lst child. We will always remember his kind words always and his infectious smile. He will be missed . The Adelmans
April 16, 2010
Dear Damsky Family,
I'm sorry to hear of the good doctors passing. I too was a patient many years ago. He always had a smile on his face, and a joke (or three) to tell. And his office was certainly different, with the unique artwork that brought back lots of fond memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Ron Weinstein
Morgan Lunsford
April 16, 2010
Words cannot describe my sorrow of Marty's passing. I remember so many good times on the Railroad at Busch Gardens with him and how he (like many of the engineers) was a family member. He will forever be missed and remembered.
Love,
"Tar Baby" :-)
gemma kerstetter
April 16, 2010
Dear Mrs. Damsky and Family,
Please know that you are in my prayers. I am sure you are feeling especially bleesed to have had such a loving husband who did so much for you, children and to the community of Williamsburg over the years. He was a very special person. He will be miss by many people. I will remember him as a very happy, jolly person at the Board Meeting.
May God Bless you and your family at this time of sadness.
Gemma Kerstetter
Olde Towne Dental
April 16, 2010
Dear Dampsky Family,
You don't know me, but my memories of your family go back to 1945 when our families were living in the Sussex apartments in Hampton. My name is Bonnie Tingle. My two older sisters, Moira and Helen, were friends of Sylvia. Somewhere in my house is the yarmulke that my father wore at Sylvia's wedding. That was a different time, the 1940s, but they were happy times. My sisters and I had more than one, long, in depth conversation with Mrs. Damsky. I recall her wisdon. I remember Marty with his smile and all his baseball gloves. He was always happy and could say the funniest and most clever things. It is a joy to have such memories. I send my condolences to you while I rejoice and thank God for a life well lived. God bless all of you, Bonnie Tingle
April 16, 2010
Dear Family, I an so sorry to know about your loss. Our former family dentist turned us over to Martin when he retired. That was very good advice. Dr. Damsky was the best professional and freind anyone could have had. He served us all with humor and talent. I especially loved the artwork one could enjoy from the dental chair. We were all sorry when he retired. It was always fun to see him at Busch Gardens where he handled the train and the tourists as well as he handled his dental tools. We send you our deepest sympathy .
Sincerely,
Joanne K Roos, Yortown, Virginia
Kerri Mitchell
April 16, 2010
I am sorry to hear of Dr. Damsky's passing. I was a patient for 12 years and enjoyed seeing him even,though he was a dentist. He was always so pleasant and made me feel at ease. My prayers are with the family.
Bruce Familant
April 16, 2010
Dear Mrs. Damsky, Leslie, and Michael,
I am very sorry hear about Dr. Damsky's passing. I have fond memories of him, particularly from Sunday school carpooling. Also, I appreciate the many times that he let me fish in "Damsky Pond" on Terrell Road during my youth.
I never saw Dr. Damsky without a smile, and that is exceedingly rare in this world.
My thoughts are with all of you during this sad time.
Warm regards,
Bruce Familant
[email protected]
Vickie Sullivan
April 16, 2010
Dear Leslie and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. It is always difficult to let great Dads go. We are here for you.
Vickie
Julie Ponn
April 16, 2010
Dear Family,
We at Alvey are so sorry for the loss of Leslie's dad. We know that this is a difficult time but know that our hearts and prayers are with the entire family at this time.
Love,
Michael Wolsh
April 16, 2010
I am very sorry to hear of Doctor Damsky's passing. He took care of all my family. When my children were small he always made them feel at ease with there visits to his office and always made them laugh .
Sandra London
April 16, 2010
I was a patient of Dr Damsky's for over 30 years. He was a great dentist and a wonderful person. He always had a smile on his face and always cared about me and my family. I never felt like I was just another patient. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. May wonderful memories help you all in the days ahead.
Martha & Randy Elder
April 16, 2010
Dear Family,
We are sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I enjoyed playing golf with him several times way back when, and enjoyed having all of your family as neighbors on Terrell Road. Our hearts and prayers will be with you.
David Pribble
April 16, 2010
Dear Family,
Dr. Damsky will be missed by us all here at Olde Towne Medical Center. We enjoyed working with him and will miss his skills as a dentist. He put many smiles on the faces of the patients he served. We extend our deepest sympathies...
Sincerely,
Katy Hampton
April 16, 2010
My thoughts are with your whole family. I will always cherish the time we spent working on the Railroad at Busch Gardens.
April 16, 2010
Mrs. D, Leslie and Michael;
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. D's passing. What a wonderful man he was. He always made me laugh and smile!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!
Love,
Marci (Wilks) Wilkins - ask "Mousey"
April 16, 2010
Mrs. D, Leslie and Michael,
I am so saddened to hear of Dr. D's passing. What a wonderful man he was and he always made me smile and laugh!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time!
Love always,
Marci (Willks) Wilkins - aka "Mousey"
arlene/john tannenbaum
April 16, 2010
so sad
will miss him at bush..always looked for him on our visits to bush gardens
on the train
john and arlene tannenbaum
Sonja Deal
April 16, 2010
I knew Dr Damsky for many years at Dr Evans office. He always had a smile and enjoyed conversation. He was a kind man and I know he is missed by all who knew him.
Cheryl Nicholas
April 16, 2010
Dearest Roz,
My heart goes out to you and the children in your loss of Marty. He was a wonderful man, a great boss and a true loss to our community. In working for Marty, I have the fondest memories. I will always remember Marty and I having trivia questions for each other everyday. He taught me much and I will always remember my time working for and with Marty and Dottie. Thank you for sharing your "Marty" with the world.
Showing 1 - 40 of 40 results
Make a Donation
in Martin DAMSKY's name
Memorial Events
for Martin DAMSKY
Funeral services provided by:
Peninsula Funeral Home & Crematory11144 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601
How to support Martin's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Martin DAMSKY's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
