Martin Max "Marty" Carter

1939 - 2026

Martin "Marty" Max Carter

January 22, 1939 - March 1, 2026

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - Martin Max Carter, known to everyone simply as Marty, passed away peacefully at home in Hilton Head, South Carolina on Sunday morning, March 1st, 2026, at the age of 87.

Marty was born on January 22nd, 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He is predeceased by his parents, Phillip Carter and Leigh Skolnik Carter, and his brother David L. Carter. Marty is survived by his wife of 57 years, Harriette Oliner Carter; his son Josh (Shawna Densmore); his daughter Laura Carter Piers (Jason); and his grandchildren Maxwell, Vivienne, Hannah, Jacob, and Avery.

Marty attended The Ohio State University before entering the investment world, joining his father at a Goodbody, a leading financial services firm at the time. While learning the ups and downs of the stock market, he still found time to take road trips out West-adventures he spoke of with a twinkle in his eye decades later, as if the desert air and open roads never quite left him.

Near the end of the 1960s, he met Harriette on a blind date. It turned out to be the most successful investment of his life. They married in 1968, moved to Macon in 1973, and Marty joined Harriette's family business, General Steel. Joining a family business gave him not only stability beyond the market's rollercoaster but also gifted him a new brother and cousins as business partners, all relationships he held dear.

Marty became a father in 1972 and a grandfather in 2007, roles he executed with all the patience, love, and humor one could hope for-and then some. His caring nature was well established long before parenthood, as he had been a dedicated member and President of Big Brothers in Cleveland. Marty seemed to run on a belief that he simply had more love to give than most, and he gave it freely.

As a manager, friend, father, and grandfather, Marty's defining qualities were unmistakable: patience, kindness, humor, and a level of easygoing calm that felt almost superhuman. He was never visibly upset, never in a hurry, never centered on himself-and somehow always fully centered on you.

Marty remained deeply tied to his Cleveland roots and the Jewish community that raised him, staying connected with friends from his earliest years. But just as naturally, he made new friends throughout his life-neighbors, coworkers, waiters, anyone within ten feet. His friends spanned ages and worlds, united only by how he made them feel: seen, valued, appreciated, and loved.

The funeral service will take place Wednesday, March 4th at 2:00 PM at Congregation Beth Yam. A graveside service at Six Oaks Cemetery will follow. Shiva/visitation will be held at Harriette's home, immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Marty's memory be made to Temple Beth Yam, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Boston and Second Helpings of Hilton Head. islandfuneralhome.com.