Martin Israel

Martin Israel, 91

Worcester - Martin Israel, 91, of Worcester died on Monday, April 3, 2017 just shy of his 92nd birthday.

He was the widower of Edith (Haas) Israel, his loving wife of 59 years. He leaves behind his two daughters, Karen Israel of Worcester and Cheryl Israel of Houston along with her husband, David and two grandsons, Michael and Alex Hoyal. He was predeceased by his brothers, Leonard and Stanley Israel and by his sister, Florence (Israel) Palmer of Middletown, CT.

Known to most as Marty, or Mickey by his close friends and family, he was born in Worcester on May 11, 1925. He was the son of Jacob and Sarah (Chase) Israel. Whenever Marty wanted to do something, he did it. Before his 18th birthday, he signed up to be in the Air Force as a fighter pilot. The day he turned 18, he left Worcester and went into the Air Force. Only 10 people of his class of 100 pilots got their wings. This was a big day for Marty. He served as a fighter pilot flying P-38's during WWII. He got to Japan after the bomb had dropped and spent another year helping with the occupation of Japan.

Marty then attended Washington University in St. Louis under the GI bill. He got his degree in Architectural Engineering and was President of his fraternity AEPhi. His senior year he met the love of his life, Edie. After 6 months, they were married and he returned to Worcester ready to start another dream. Marty went into the home building business with his brother, Leonard. He built hundreds of homes and many apartments during his long career. He belonged to the Home Builders Association, serving as president in 1964, and participated in many other service organizations including the Probus Club, the Jewish War Veterans, the Rotary Club and was a member of Temple Emanuel which is now Temple Emanuel-Sinai. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Home Builders Association.

Marty was an avid tennis player known for his trick slice ball. When asked what was the most important decision of his life, he said marrying his beautiful wife, Edie. Of all of his other achievements, he felt the proudest of his poetry which he wrote in his youth, throughout the war, in college and loved reciting his poems. To those who knew him best, he will always be remembered for his kind, sweet disposition, and his positive attitude towards life. He never lost his sense of humor or his signature sign off from his Air Force days, "over and out". He will be greatly missed especially by his family.

A graveside service honoring Marty's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 9th at B'nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John's Road in Worcester under the the direction of MILES FUNERAL HOME, 1158 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN.

Memorial observance will be announced at the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc., Attn: Online Services, PO Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090-7166 or to any other charity.

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www.milesfuneralhome.com

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