Friends, colleagues remember Mort Marshak

BY CLAUDIA WYSOCKI
MONROE — The Honorable Morton Marshak - local attorney, former village and town of Monroe justice and one-time commissioner of the New York State Bridge Authority - died on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016.
He had been working at his Stage Road office in Monroe until just a week before his death at the age of 82.
Marshak was a general practice attorney since 1968, working on estates, wills, trusts, family court issues, real estate, injuries and small claims.
For years, he partnered with Monroe attorney Al Mishkin, before becoming a judge.
His former colleagues said Marshak was good at what he did, fair, characterized him as quiet and all said he was a good friend.
Woodbury attorney David Levinson said his tenure as a Woodbury judge overlapped Marshak's service with the village and town of Monroe.
"He was a good attorney and a good friend of mine since 1973," said Levinson. "I will miss him."
Former Town of Monroe Supervisor Sandy Leonard said Marshak was an integral part of Monroe.
"I will truly miss him," she said.
Marshak was a big asset to the Town of Monroe, according to former councilman Donald Weeks.
"He was my friend, a quiet man who did a good job," said Weeks. "I worked with him right up to the last few weeks."
Marshak was fair to everyone, said Mary Lou Garew, who worked with him for 20 years. She called it an honor and privilege to work with him.
He had been a longtime and good friend to Rob Nelson, former owner of the Nelson Store on Lake Street. They knew each other since the 1960s. Nelson, who now lives in Palm Coast, Florida, said the two have stayed in touch over the years and that Marshak's reputation and personality were stellar.
"Mort was a close friend," said Nelson. "He had a great reputation. He was well-regarded in the Town of Monroe. He was a good lawyer and a judge for over 20 years. He also had a good personality."
Jim Nelson, Rob Nelson's brother, regarded Marshak as an outstanding gentleman, attorney and judge. He noted that former New York State Governor George Pataki appointed Marshak to the New York State Bridge Authority, something Marshak was very proud of. Marshak, he said, worked until the end of his life.
"He was an all-around man," said Jim Nelson. "He really was great."
Services for Marshak were held at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla.