Martin ‘Marty’ South, 65, of Esopus

Martin “Marty” South, 65, of Koskie Lane, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus.

Born Oct. 15, 1951 in Catskill, N.Y., he is the son of the late Martin L. “Stubby” and Cora (Palmer) South.

Marty worked as a mechanic, owning and operating several garages in Catskill and recently in Kingston along with owning South Well Drilling a long time family business. Marty was avid “DIRT” race car enthusiast, racing at several local tracks including Accord, Lebanon Valley, Middletown, and Fonda. He was also a backup driver for Bobby Allison in the 1970’s, driving on such tracks as Daytona and Talladega. He was a member of the Reformed Church of the Comforter which he served as a past deacon and was a Third Degree Mason, with the Masonic Lodge in Cairo, N.Y.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy Simmons South, whom he wed on June 22, 1986; his children, Nicole Albohn and her husband Robert and Martin Timothy South. A grandchild is due in November. Also surviving are several cousins and dear friends.

He is predeceased by his brother John South.

Funeral and cremation arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home Inc., 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston. www.jvleahyfh.com Friends will be on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. A service will be conducted at 7 p.m.

Expression of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, Va., 22311