Morton Rollnik

Morton (Morty) Rollnik Morton (Morty) Rollnik, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, formerly of Bayside, New York, passed away on June 1, 2016 after a courageous battle with gallbladder cancer. Morty was born in the Bronx, New York on May 4, 1929. He graduated from the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan and earned his bachelor's degree from the School of Art at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Morty became the Art Director at Ace Advertisers' Service, Inc. until his retirement in 1991. His clients included American Express, Fedders, and The Seamen's Church Institute. After his retirement, Morty put his prodigious artistic talents to excellent use as a freelance artist. During his summers as a young man, he vacationed on the artists' colony of Monhegan Island, painting the breathtaking Maine landscapes and imposing coastal scenery. In August 1956, while vacationing in Monhegan, he met Eva M. Wohlauer, who would become the love of his life. They married on May 19, 1957, and celebrated 59 years of marriage, not only as devoted husband and wife, but also as best friends. Morty and Eva raised their two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, in Bayside, New York. In 2005, they escaped the hubbub of New York and moved to the Cypress of Hilton Head Island, thereby fulfilling their dreams of being close to nature, beautiful beaches, and golf courses. They relished their beautiful apartment and the classic Southern scenery at the Cypress. The following year, Morty became the organizer-in-chief of the Second Saturday Golf Tournament at the Cypress. Much to the delight of the residents of the Cypress, he initiated and directed the Internet Gallery, which featured a different Cypress member artist each month. During his retirement years, Morty was a prolific artist, and his watercolors, giclee prints, and notecards adorn the homes of his many friends and family members. He was a self-taught classical music aficionado, capable of recognizing any piece of classical music after hearing only the first few notes. Morty and Eva enjoyed subscriptions at the New York Philharmonic and later, at the Hilton Head Symphony. Morty was very athletic, even before it was fashionable, participating in handball and tennis in his youth. During his middle years, he tuned his considerable athletic skills to the challenging game of golf, which he pursued with extraordinary passion, conquering golf courses from California to Hawaii along the way. Morty was, above all, devoted to his wife, children, and grandchildren; he was a wonderful friend to so many people. He was warm and welcoming to everyone he met. Morty was famous for his quick wit and legendary puns. He was a moral, kind, and spiritual man who observed and honored his Jewish faith. Morty is survived by his wife, Eva W. Rollnik, daughters Elizabeth Rollnik Friedman and Margaret Rollnik Larabee, son-in-law David Paul Friedman, grandson Daniel Max Friedman, and granddaughter Amy Michelle Larabee. The family extends deep gratitude to the staff of the Cypress, the Preston, the Cypress Home Health aides, the Hospice Care of Lowcountry and to Dr. Gary Thomas and his entire staff for their professionalism, devotion, and loving care. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 pm on Friday, June 10 in Cypress Hall, at The Cypress, 20 Ladyslipper Lane, Hilton Head, SC 29926. Memorial donations can be made to Congregation Beth Yam/The Care Committee, 45 Meeting Street, Hilton Head, SC 29926 or to the Employee Hardship Fund, Cypress Club 20 Ladyslipper Lane, Hilton Head, SC 29926. May his memory be a blessing. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. theislandfuneralhome.com.