Martin H. Lonstein, 86, of Ellenville
ELLENVILLE » Martin H. Lonstein, a longtime resident of Ellenville, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday April 17, 2018, at Ellenville Regional Hospital. He was 86.
The son of the late Nathan and Sylvia Lonstein, Martin was born on June 10, 1931. Growing up, Marty (as many of you called him) liked playing Cowboys and Indians and loved being outdoors. He was part of the Boy Scouts and soon became an Eagle Scout. He loved helping out on the farm and in the garage, Lonstein’s Motors. He helped with the war effort, collecting papers, metal, and whatever else was needed by lugging his red wagon all over town. After attending the movies on Saturday afternoons, he and his siblings loved acting out the characters and pretended they were part of the show.
Marty graduated from Ellenville High School in 1949 and went to General Motors Institute (Kettering University) in Flint, Mich., where he learned the tricks of the trade for being a mechanic and a Pontiac/GMC Truck dealer. He was a Korean War veteran, where he served as an intelligence officer.
Marty owned Lonstein Motors – he was always the one who answered the phone in his up beat voice, saying “Yello;” you always knew it was him! Fishing, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, and golfing were longtime favorites of Marty’s. He was fond of the Thousand Islands, where he and his wife shared a summer home and had many guests. Marty never passed a “dirty water” hot dog stand; he loved hot dogs! Marty was on the Town of Wawarsing Planning Board for almost 30 years, many as chairman. He was a Mason for over 60 years. He was head cook for the Noonday Club’s senior dinner and was an avid sportsman.
Marty is survived by his wife, Phelene Lonstein, who resides in Ellenville; his children, Lynda Cohen and husband Jeffrey Cohen, his son, Dr. Paul Lonstein and wife Robin Lonstein; his grandchildren, Rebecca Cohen-Lillard and her husband Brandon Lillard, Jennifer Cohen, Brina Cohen, Eliana Lonstein, and Madeline Lonstein; as well as his great-grandchild, Thaddeus Lillard. Marty is survived by two siblings, Minnie Wainer (Bernard) and Gary Lonstein (Harriett). Marty has many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Marty was predeceased by his parents; grandson, Jacob Lonstein; and his two black labs, Beauty and Shatzie.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 2:30 p.m., at the Congregation Anshe Tzadyik Synagogue, 186 Canal St., Ellenville, N.Y. 12428, with Rabbi Hillel Grossman officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Congregation Cemetery, Route 209 in Wawarsing.
Shiva will be observed at Martin and Phelene’s home in Ellenville.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home - Ellenville; to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com.