Martin ”Marty” F. Lipsitt

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Martin (Marty) F Lipsitt died on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in his apartment at The Nottingham. He was one week shy of his 92nd birthday.

Marty Lipsitt was born on May 9,1934 in Detroit Michigan. From early on in his life, he was a highly social, creative person, who impressed others with his energy, charm and humor. He had close childhood friends who remained connected to him until the end of their lives. Marty did very well in school, and was noticed by his teachers. They looked out for him, letting his family know about opportunities for him to express himself and learn. He was chosen in elementary school to sing a solo on a radio program, and later was placed in a gifted artist program. Marty attended Cass Tech High School where he excelled across the board, but also further developed his fine art. From there Marty left for NYC to attend Pratt Institute, where he focused on illustration and advertising.

Marty loved NYC. He lived there for more than 70 years, before moving upstate to live near one of his daughters. Marty met Judy Melnikoff shortly after moving to NYC, when they were both camp counselors in Upstate NY. Marty and Judy married in 1958, and lived in Brooklyn near Pratt initially, and then in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. They were married for nearly 60 years, and enjoyed a rich cultural life in NYC. Marty was very proud of the house in Cobble Hill that he bought in 1967 and designed, working closely with the architect. Marty and Judy lived in the Cobble Hill house for 40 plus years, raising two daughters and caring for a cat and five dogs over time.

Marty had a successful career as a creative director of the advertising agency, Calet, Hirsch and Spector. He also enjoyed fame designing furniture as well as illustrating for magazines. Marty found his work very gratifying, but was also always very interested in the lives of his daughters, and later also in their families. He was a very generous friend and mentor to those he worked with, always listening and responding with warmth and interest.

A few years after Judy’s death, and at a time when friends in NYC were aging and passing away, Marty moved to The Nottingham to live close to his older daughter and her family. Marty spent his last three years enjoying his two daughters, their families, and spending hours drawing and painting for pleasure. He particularly loved his 90th birthday celebration when he received a video from many friends in which they talked about what he meant to them. He also really enjoyed the company of his sixth dog, Teddy, who he shared with his daughter, Nancy .

Marty’s sudden death on May 2 has been a huge loss for those who loved him, but he has left a deep impression on friends and family. They will keep him close through their wonderful memories of him.

Marty is survived by his brother, Harry, two daughters, Nancy (Len) and Katie (Mark) and four grandchildren, Emily and Max and Ben and Lucy, as well as Teddy, the dog he shared with Nancy and Len.

If you wish to contact Marty’s daughters, you can do so at Ktlip01@gmail.com (Katie) and Sept2863@twcny.rr.com (Nancy).