Martin Maly

On May 20, 2026, I, Martin Maly, lost my ridiculous battle with cancer. I was born in Erie on July 14, 1956 the son of Nicholas and Sophie Maly. I spent my childhood playing on the lower East side: the tracks, trains, The Soldiers and Sailors Home, the wild Bayfront, and the totally cool open City Dump, a place of unimaginable treasures.

I am survived by my beautiful and tenacious wife of 44 years Cynthia Lewis. Cindy my best friend who taught me to love and see the humanity in people who others discount. My amazingly talented daughter, Rachel Maly: sculptor, writer, scholar, and lover of all of nature; the bravest person I have ever met. I am also survived by my two indomitable sisters; Margaret Maly Wilson and Nicolette Azicri and many cousins, nieces, nephews, the extended Lewis Family, many eclectic friends, and Yue.

I graduated from Saint Patrick, Tech Memorial ’74, Edinboro State College ’78, Penn State University ’81, and the Center for Montessori Studies the College of New Rochelle New York with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum and Instruction. I taught at The Montessori School of Erie County and in the Millcreek Township School District at Belle Valley, Ridgefield Elementary, and J.S. Wilson Middle School. I always loved teaching and hope I helped more young people than I didn’t. I was a member of the: Zukor Club, Erie Fancy Walking Society, Northwest Pennsylvania Precision Push-Mower Team, an occasional member of the World Atlatl Association, and an extremely proud holder of an Erie County Library Card!

I loved experiencing the natural world. Exploring the outdoors: birding, hiking, camping, swimming, kayaking, foraging, plant and animal identification, gardening, and observing all of the natural wonders of the seasons.

Marty wrote this initial segment of his Obituary two weeks before he passed away. He did not finish it before he was taken too swiftly and decades too soon. Cynthia Lewis and Rachel Maly found it on his computer the day he died. We have added some additional highlights of Marty’s life.

Marty is a Multidimensional Man. He had numerous interests and experiences. As young boy, he served as an altar boy at St. Patrick Church. He took banjo lessons. He developed an early interest in Buddhism and Eastern Asian Religions and Philosophy. He was deeply spiritual and unconventional. Marty ran cross-country and track at Erie Central Technical High School. Loving the physicality of martial arts, Marty studied Karate in high school. As an adult, he returned to Karate, earning a black belt and ultimately had his own Karate School, Ichiban Dojo. Later, he became a student of Tai Chi and enjoyed practicing under the Dogwood Tree with the grass beneath his feet.

He enrolled in the Drafting Program at Tech Memorial, earning a paid work study at Hammermill in the 12th grade. However, Marty felt the call for higher learning and enrolled at Edinboro State College. There he explored a few different majors until he found his true calling…teaching. Marty loved teaching and thrilled at the spark of discovery students experienced when acquiring new skills and knowledge. He was a Golden Apple recipient, TWICE.

Marty was a natural performer. He was truly funny, quirky and insightful, and lit up the room. We had tremendous fun together as a couple and as a family with our amazing daughter. His preforming gigs include being a member of the Jolly Jesters clowns, was a character in Wedding Bell Blues with local improv performers and more recently appeared in WQLN Chronicles Season 1, Episode 4, and The Visit. While teaching at Millcreek Schools, Marty wrote and/or co-directed several musicals and was thrilled to see untapped talent emerge and shine.

The love of nature and the outdoors resided deep in his being. Marty attended Tom Brown’s Tracker and Survivalist School in New Jersey and enjoyed teaching local students these skills. He was still teaching primitive skills to students after he retired. He had much energy and constantly found new projects and pursuits. His creative interests lead him to enroll in a ceramics class at Edinboro University. He filled our house with pots and his “Little Creatures”. Marty’s creative, spiritual, and drafting talent lead him to create several beautiful and published mandalas. He began his last project early spring which was creating a small patio behind the garage in response to a dream Rachel had described.

There are so many more deep and delightful things to say about Marty and the gift that he has been to us all. He was the most Incredible Husband and Father and we celebrate him. We invite you to send your funny stories, encounters, and tales of his adventures to us. We are holding a day-long Celebration of Life on his birthday, July 14 at Presque Isle State Park, the Enclosed Picnic Pavilion #2. Bring your memories and love for this remarkable man, as well as your appetite to Marty’s Party. Arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd.