Marc Estrin

1939 - 2025

Marc Estrin was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 20, 1939, and died on August 10, 2025 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont, peacefully and surrounded by his family.

The red-diaper baby of Jack Estrin and Vera Borax, he grew up on Pelham Parkway in the Bronx, in a Jewish neighborhood where he was the only boy not to have a Bar Mitzvah. He left New York as a young adult for California, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC and ultimately, Vermont, but a part of him was always connected to the old neighborhood.

His lifelong interests in science, music, theater and politics led him down many paths - Marc described himself as baffled by the jobs he'd held. In addition to political activism, the ministry, and working as a college professor and theater director, he worked as a research scientist, EMT, physician assistant, puppeteer, cellist, vocalist, conductor, and a prolific and acclaimed writer. When he created Fomite Press in 2011 with his wife, Donna Bister, he became an editor and publisher. There are many more details on his Wikipedia page and the Fomite Press web page.

He helped countless people to fulfill their dreams, encouraging them to develop their ideas and challenge their expectations. He approached every phase of his life with total commitment and dedication, and he was dismayed that many of the causes he cared most about seemed to be recently turning toward injustice.

He is survived by his wife, daughter Mario Trabulsy; son Hans Estrin (wife Autumn Blais); grandchildren Quinn, Abe and Milo Trabulsy, Izabel Estrin and Darius Parker; his first wife Nona Estrin (husband Charles Johnson); sister-in-law Delia Robinson; and close friends and collaborators Mannie Lionni, Fred Ramey, and Peter Schumann. He also leaves a large community of relatives, fellow writers, musicians, puppeteers, political activists, and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Carl.

Special thanks to the UVMMC palliative care team for their wise counsel and assistance that let Marc have what he wanted in the end - a good death.

There will be a celebration of Marc's life later in the fall. To honor Marc's memory, please get in touch with someone you've not seen in a while, participate in a protest, encourage someone.