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Morton Marks Obituary

Marks, Morton "Morty" beloved husband of Mary (nee Knightly), loving father of Jeffrey (Rose), David (Ellen) and the late Lloyd, dear father-in-law of Barbara, devoted grandfather of Scott, Ross (Debra) and Myles (Deidre) Marks, Randi (Jay) Mueller, Seth (Meredith) Marks, Erica (Ari) Cohen, Jason Mann, Jessica Marks, Brianna Mann and Gavin Marks, adored great grandfather of Nicole, Bradley, Kagan, Reid, Bari, Mason, Lily, Brooks, Samuel, Matthew, Benjamin and Chloe, dear brother of Herman (Ruth) and Melvin Marks, Idelle (William) Cohen and the late Michael (Helen) Marks, beloved uncle and friend of many. Service Tuesday, 12 noon at The Weinstein Family Services Wilmette Chapel, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette (one block north of Old Orchard). Interment Randhill Park Cemetery, Arlington Heights. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Morton Marks Fund-Stroke Activity Center of Palm Springs, 4210 Transworld Road, Schiller Park, IL. 60176. For info., 847-256-5700

Published by Chicago Sun-Times from Sep. 9 to Sep. 12, 2001.
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We are going to the desert, but it certainly will never be the same without our buddy "Morty".

Sharon Washburn

December 6, 2001

My condolences to all the family. Morty was the most generous, giving person I've ever met. He always had a smile and a positive attitude. He was a wonderful inspirstion and model to all who had the privilege of knowing him. We at the Stroke Activity Center will miss him in many ways but his spirit will be here with us always.

NANCY SMITH

September 24, 2001

It was a difficult moment when I announced the loss of Morty to the clients of the Stroke Activity Center. He was constant in their lives, which had been so definitively altered by their stroke. We reminisced about the last outing when Morty took all the clients and staff to an off betting parlor! It was a eagerly awaited yearly event. He gave each client betting money, lunch and candy. Several clients at least doubled their money! They all agreed that they will never be able to replace "Our Angel". My staff and the Board, on which he so fervently served, miss him dearly. You are a blessed family to have had him for so many years.

Sincerely,

Nan Scholhamer

Executive Director

Stroke Actvity Center

Nan Scholhamer

September 14, 2001

to Mort's family: We express our deepest sorrow for the loss of Mort. He was a great man who helped many people during his lifetime.His spirit will live on for those who knew and loved him. Love Morry and Carolyn

Morris and Carolyn Kaplan

September 13, 2001

To the family

This has been a tough time.Mort was a great teacher to us all.He loved life he wanted us all to be happy.We are very fortunate to share many great moments with a great and kind man.I will always love him.

Allen

Allen Klein

September 11, 2001

To Mary&The Family

Our beloved Mort will never be missed.He will be in our hearts forever.I hope and pray that we will all be strong.

Carola&Jake Fiss

September 11, 2001

A 1977 four-door Cadillac Sedan comfortably holds four passengers. Five, if none of the passengers play on the front-line for the Bulls, or at least

the old Bulls. But in 1978, on a gray, blustery, Fall day, my grandfather tried -- no, actually broke -- the record for the largest number of living

human beings ever stuffed into a General Motor’s luxury automobile by squeezing seven children, all under the age of thirteen, two under

five-years-old, and two adults, including himself, into his maroon boat-like, fun-mobile. This record would be duplicated each successive Sunday

and actually broken a few times as my cousins increased and then invited friends on each of my grandfather’s famous Sunday day-trips.



A few years after my oldest son Kagan was born, and I began to understand what it meant to care for one child, let alone seven or eight, I tried

explaining to my wife Debra what a remarkable feat it was; my grandfather loading up each and every one of his grandchildren each and every

Sunday, without fail, and with Ripken-like dedication whisking us all off in his Caddie to the Circus, the Ice Capades, the movies, or whatever

local happening was worthy of his great energy and spirit -- and yes, jewelry.



My grandfather handed out jewelry wherever he went. I was always suprised that there was never a movement among local jewelers to arrest him.

I mean, here he was handing out “Majorca” earrings, “Tahitian” pearl necklaces, rings, broaches, you name it, for free and jewelers were actually

charging for the stuff. You could tell my grandfather had been somewhere by the trail of shiny trinkets and smiles that he left behind.

Stewardesses, waitresses, nurses, hostesses...my grandfather knew how to brighten peoples’ day.



I grew particularly close to my grandfather during my freshman year in college. I was living in Los Angeles, trying to forge a career as a basketball

player at Occidental College, and he and Mary were living in nearby Palm Desert. He would come to several of my games with his dear friend, and

former Professional basketball player, Mickey Rottner. Because of my attitude and height, or lack of, (I discovered a 5’9” White, Jewish guy is not

meant to excel in the world of hoops) I didn’t play much. After about the third game watching me sit on the bench, my grandfather suggested I

consider focusing on something other than basketball. “Like what?” I asked. “Like girls.” My grandfather quickly offered.



Upon quitting the basketball team, I began visiting my grandparents almost every weekend at their home in Palm Desert. It was a short drive from

L.A. and they always made me feel very welcome. Each visit brought the same question, “Are you dating any one? Any cute girls?” Each week

prior to the visit I had the same poor results, so the answer was always the same, “No. I wasn’t dating anyone and, in fact, I didn’t even have a

prospect .” The truth was, during my freshman year in college, when it came to girls, I was in the biggest slump of my life. Understanding this,

my grandfather led me into his den/office and handed me a small plastic bag of earrings. “Come on,” he said, “I’ll show you how to get a date.”



Off we went to the clubhouse at his Country Club. Now anyone who knows the retirement community of Palm Desert probably knows that the

clubhouse of any one of the well-groomed country clubs is not the greatest place for a 19-year-old to pick up girls. But nonetheless we charged

forward, my grandfather and I, determined to get me a date. If nothing else, I figured I might meet some wealthy widower, drop out of school and

hang around with my grandfather all day handing out jewelry and playing golf. Not a bad life.



Upon arrival at the clubhouse, he immediately spotted a young, and yes attractive, girl cleaning up a table at the outdoor restaurant. “Here’s what I

want you to do,” he said reaching into the small plastic pouch of zirconias. “Notice her hair is pulled back and yet her earrings are dangling.

That’s because they’re too long for her face. Hand her these.” He pressed two shiny, nugget-shaped jewels into my palm. “Tell her, her face is too

pretty to be distracted by long earrings and that these studs will better highlight her beautiful face and features.” He leaned in close, looked

around, cocked his head and mouth to the same side and whispered in a low, conspiratorial tone, “Remove the earrings she has on and replace them

with these.” “Actually, take the earrings she has on off and put on these earrings in their place?” I asked incredulously. “What if I rip her ear off

and she bleeds to death?”



“No wonder you haven’t been able to get a date, “ he said, “Do it gently. You won’t make her bleed. Go.” He urged me toward the girl.



A few minutes later I returned with her phone number in hand. She had been waiting for me all week. My grandfather had her prepped well in

advance of my arrival that day.



Because of my grandfather, we had fun. I have a feeling I’m not the only who can say that. Fun was certainly his gift, if not his specialty.



He will be missed, loved, and never forgotten.



Grandpa, thanks! I love you!

Ross Marks

September 11, 2001

Morty was such an inspiration to so many stroke survivors at the Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center. He always greeted new clients with an angel pin, a joke or two and a ton of inspiration. Every word he said was postive-there was no room for negativity. He loved to laugh and loved having everyone laugh with him. He was so generous to all who attended the Stroke Activity Center and was the force behind many survivor's healing. He will be tremenously missed, but will always remain in our hearts and memories.

Colleen Todd

September 10, 2001

Mort was a great man, and I can say I am a better person because I knew him. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met, and he made the world a better place.

Alec & Jen Hirsch

September 10, 2001

MENTOR,BOSS,FRIEND,

ALL THOSE THINGS AND MORE

THANKS MORTY I LOVED YOU

MICHAEL SCHUMER

MICHAEL SCHUMER

September 10, 2001

Mort did so many nice things for people, David and i included. He did so many things for the SAC, seemingly never to tire of it.

He was a great and precious person and we loved him and will miss him dearly. To Mary and family we send our love and sympathy. Washburns

Sharon Washburn

September 10, 2001

In Deepest Sympathy



Morty will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.



Ed

Ed Deaton

September 9, 2001

Many stroke survivors can thank Mort for his generosity and kindnesses during their recuperation at the Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center. Mort always had time to speak with clients in addition to his many contributions. We all mourn with Mary and the family. Mort was the greatest.

Beryl Trodd

September 9, 2001

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