"A warm and funny man with a heart of gold and a smile that could melt. He will be remembered and missed. "
In loving memory of
Martin Moses Gelman
September 22, 1944 - April 30, 2022
Martin Gelman was born on September 22, 1944 to Nathan and Gussie (Gasner) Gelman. He passed away peacefully on April 30, 2022 - Nisan 29 5782.
Marty, as he was known to his friends and family. grew up in Bronx, NY and attended the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School (RJJ) on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and DeWitt Clinton High School on Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx.
His mother, Gussie Gelman died in 1959 and his brother. Abraham died as a toddler from Tay Sachs. His mother's passing was very hard on him and his father. Fortunately, his extended family was there to support both of them.
He started his professional career as a tie salesman but soon moved into the ethnic food market where he had a successful career as a salesman for the Vitarroz Company, the second largest supplier and distributor of Hispanic food products in the Northeastern United States. His career was marked with hard work and devotion to his clients, who, in turn adored him.
Due to the generosity of his aunt and uncle Goldie and Meyer Gasner of Toronto, he attended Camp Moshava in Ennismore, Ontario, Canada where he met Barbara Dlugopiat of Montreal. They married on Sept 4, 1966 in Montreal, Canada.
They began their married life in Far Rockaway NY and then moved to Oceanside NY in 1972. It was in Oceanside where they made lifelong friends and were devoted volunteers in the Young Israel of Oceanside community.
He is survived by Barbara, his devoted wife of 55 years, his children Gita and Herbert Weinberg and Barry and Gabrielle Gelman. He was beloved by his grandchildren, Rachel and Ari Steining, Rena, Maya and Avery Weinberg, Sam Gelman and Dena Katz, Lillian, Benjamin, Elie and Ami Gelman and great granddaughter Menucha Steinig.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 12:30 PM at Congregation Brith Shalom, 4610 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401followed by a graveside service at 2:00 PM at Beth Jacob Cemetery, 2300 Almeda Genoa Rd, Houston, TX 77047.
Donations in memory of Martin can be made to: The Bobbi and Vic Samuels Center for Jewish Living and Learning at the JCC. Please contact Melanie Beltram at mbeltram@erjcchouston.org or at 832.408.3525 to make the donation or to Nora's Home -. https://norashome.org/give or to the Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services - https://www.sevenacres.org/donate/
The family wishes to thank the staff at Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care services. The family extends eternal gratitude to Dr. Joggy George for providing Martin with exceptional care and for being a source of comfort and guidance throughout Martin's illness.