Martin “Marty” Moore
Martin “Marty” Henry Moore, age 78, of Wallingford, Connecticut, passed away at his home on December 17, 2020.
Born on July 3, 1942 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Henry and Marie ( Plukas) Moore, he grew up in Fairfield, where he served in the volunteer fire department, as did his father and grandfather. Marty had fond memories of his alma mater, The University of Pennsylvania, where he played varsity baseball among other sports. He served in the United States Army Reserve and was a reporter, Associate Editor, Columnist, and editorial writer for the Post Publishing Company newspapers. Memorably, as the press secretary for Senator Lowell P. Weicker Jr., he developed the media strategy for the pivotal ‘ 82 race involving Prescott Bush Jr. and Toby Moffett. He ultimately led public relations for Sikorsky Aircraft and United Technologies Corporation, managing all communications for the deployment of the UH- 60A Black Hawk and other helicopters.
Marty was a birder, supporting the Quinnipiac Valley Audubon Society, where he had been an active board member for many years, the New Haven Bird Club as a Life Member, and the Connecticut Ornithological Association. For years, he and his dog, Buffy, could be found at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven spotting hawks as part of the Northeast Hawk Watch or identifying birds during the annual Christmas Bird Count. A true Nutmegger, he committed himself to Connecticut, including his work documenting its history with the Bridgeport Bicentennial Committee, championing conservation efforts such as preserving open space through the Wallingford Conservation Commission, and volunteering with the long running project to save the American Kestrel.
Marty enjoyed countless sports throughout his life and a wide variety of good music, even having been a member of a bluegrass band during his days in Washington, D. C.
One could find Marty walking the paths of his beloved State’s rural woodlands and along its shores and waterways. He was a life member of the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club where he had served as Fishing Chairman responsible for stocking trout in the pond. Recently, a joy of his was to watch the Bald Eagles that had taken up nesting by his home on North Farms Reservoir.
He is survived by his sister Maureen, daughter Margaret, son Martin, and four grandchildren: Charlotte, Henry, Marc, and Colin. Marty was also blessed with the most devoted friends, whom he sincerely loved.
Marty, who passed away just before Christmas as the first big snowstorm of the Connecticut winter was ending, once wrote, after a December hike, of a young Hemlock in the Connecticut woods, “It would grow, we hoped, healthy and untroubled, strong yet supple and able to withstand the severe storms that maraud across New England. Hemlocks endure.” When we catch sight of eagles and hawks overhead, and wander those natural places he protected, we are reminded that Marty endures.
Funeral services will not be held, at Marty’s request. Donations may be made to the Quinnipiac Valley Audubon Society. For online condolences, please visit www. wallingfordfh. com.