Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Calls outside of office hours? No worries! Our team will respond within 10–15 minutes.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, immediately following the funeral service.
Martin G. Nelles “Marty”, age 53, of Wayne, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Born and raised in New York City, Marty’s childhood was marked by frequent stickball games with his buddies on the streets in his neighborhood. This didn’t make the folks whose cars were parked in proximity to these games very happy, but it kept the windshield repair guy in business. And hey, a kid has to play somewhere, right? Raised in his Catholic faith, Marty served as an alter boy at Church of the Ascension in New York City. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx with the Class of 1980.
One of the most important people in Marty’s life was his best friend and brother-in-law Benjamin “Benny” Ybera. A little bit older than Marty, Benny showed Marty the ropes growing up. It was Benny that introduced Marty to his first beer - when he was fourteen - and dressed him up with a fake beard so he could get Marty into the movies he was really too young to see. The two of them were also known to sneak into the gymnasium at Columbia University. Of course they would get kicked out, but that didn’t stop them from sneaking in again. Ironically, many years later in 1985, they both started careers as public safety officers at that very same Columbia University. Marty always worked the midnight to eight-in-the-morning shift. He was very conscientious about his work responsibilities, enjoyed the love and respect of his many co-workers, and recently received his thirty-year badge for a job well-done.
As a young man in high school, Marty would frequently watch TV at his family’s apartment while his sisters Petra and Karin would hang with their friend Rebecca. Marty soon found out that Rebecca had an older sister named Jeanette. Marty was anxious to figure out how he could meet her, so when he found out that Jeanette liked to play tennis, he came up with an idea of sending her a Snoopy greeting card which said, “Terrific backhand!” It turned out to be the perfect way to get her to go out with him and, although Marty had never been interested in tennis before, soon he and Jeanette had their first tennis match. Now, in the game of tennis, when scoring, the term “love” is used instead of zero to mean that the player has no points. Since Marty didn’t have any tennis experience he had a lot of love in more ways than one – his lack of points scored but, more importantly, his growing love for Jeanette. Their love and affection was mutual and, after dating seven years, Marty proposed to Jeanette in Riverside Park. They exchanged marriage vows on Saturday, August 30, 1986 at Corpus Christi Church at the intersection of Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. in Manhattan. A great reception with over two-hundred guests followed at the Astoria Manor in Queens, then a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico.
After marriage, Marty and Jeanette initially moved to Hackensack. In 1988, they welcomed their first son Christopher who just happened to be born on Marty’s birthday. Talk about a great birthday present! Then in 1990, this little family of three moved to Wayne and, two years later, grew to a family of four when they welcomed another baby son and brother, Spenser. Marty was very proud of his sons and found great satisfaction in seeing their accomplishments. Whether it was lacrosse, football, wrestling, marching band, jazz band or any other of their functions, he always tried his best to be there for them. Sadly, after twenty-four years of marriage, Jeanette passed away in 2011 at the young age of 49, after a one-year battle with leukemia.
Marty found his greatest pleasure in the simple things of life – a delicious meal, a good scotch, and a cigar. It was Marty who cooked dinner for the family every night, and family favorites included an Indonesian noodle dish called Bami and seafood gumbo. Following dinner by sipping a nice smooth glass of Johnnie Walker and a smoking a fine Cuban cigar was Marty’s definition of a great night. Marty also enjoyed taking in an episode of Star Trek or a good horror movie, and when it came to sports he rooted for the Mets, Knicks, Giants, and Miami Dolphins. Over the years, he also loved vacationing with his and Jeanette’s families. And when he wasn’t working, or cooking, or watching TV, he was probably down the street hanging with his neighbor, and friend, George.
Marty’s family described him as grumpy on the outside, but all love on the inside. He was very sarcastic, but that sarcasm was all a front. For instance, if you asked Marty for a favor, he would say no. Problem is, Marty was good at saying no, but he was bad at acting no. He would do anything to help you if you had a need. Even after working all night, he’d come home in the morning and happily take Jeanette’s elderly aunt and uncle, Moises and Ernestina, who lived just a few houses down the street, on all their errands – shopping, doctor visits, hair appointments – you name it! Marty wasn’t verbally demonstrative, and instead let his character and devotion define who he was. Above all else, he loved his family and friends, and there’s no doubt he will be sorely missed.
Martin was predeceased by his beloved wife Jeanette in 2011. He is survived by his much-loved sons: Christopher and Spenser, both of Wayne; his two dear sisters: Petra and husband Benjamin Ybera of New York City, and Karin Nelles-Rodriguez and husband Jose of Queens, NY; his nieces and nephew: Alina, Marijke, Brianna, Ursula, and Alejandro; and his cousin Amber.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Martin’s name are asked to consider The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 14 Commerce Drive, Suite 301, Cranford, NJ 07016 (www.lls.org).
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, immediately following the funeral service.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 4-8 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, immediately following the funeral service.
Martin G. Nelles “Marty”, age 53, of Wayne, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 8, 2016.
Born and raised in New York City, Marty’s childhood was marked by frequent stickball games with his buddies on the streets in his neighborhood. This didn’t make the folks whose cars were parked in proximity to these games very happy, but it kept the windshield repair guy in business. And hey, a kid has to play somewhere, right? Raised in his Catholic faith, Marty served as an alter boy at Church of the Ascension in New York City. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx with the Class of 1980.
One of the most important people in Marty’s life was his best friend and brother-in-law Benjamin “Benny” Ybera. A little bit older than Marty, Benny showed Marty the ropes growing up. It was Benny that introduced Marty to his first beer - when he was fourteen - and dressed him up with a fake beard so he could get Marty into the movies he was really too young to see. The two of them were also known to sneak into the gymnasium at Columbia University. Of course they would get kicked out, but that didn’t stop them from sneaking in again. Ironically, many years later in 1985, they both started careers as public safety officers at that very same Columbia University. Marty always worked the midnight to eight-in-the-morning shift. He was very conscientious about his work responsibilities, enjoyed the love and respect of his many co-workers, and recently received his thirty-year badge for a job well-done.
As a young man in high school, Marty would frequently watch TV at his family’s apartment while his sisters Petra and Karin would hang with their friend Rebecca. Marty soon found out that Rebecca had an older sister named Jeanette. Marty was anxious to figure out how he could meet her, so when he found out that Jeanette liked to play tennis, he came up with an idea of sending her a Snoopy greeting card which said, “Terrific backhand!” It turned out to be the perfect way to get her to go out with him and, although Marty had never been interested in tennis before, soon he and Jeanette had their first tennis match. Now, in the game of tennis, when scoring, the term “love” is used instead of zero to mean that the player has no points. Since Marty didn’t have any tennis experience he had a lot of love in more ways than one – his lack of points scored but, more importantly, his growing love for Jeanette. Their love and affection was mutual and, after dating seven years, Marty proposed to Jeanette in Riverside Park. They exchanged marriage vows on Saturday, August 30, 1986 at Corpus Christi Church at the intersection of Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. in Manhattan. A great reception with over two-hundred guests followed at the Astoria Manor in Queens, then a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico.
After marriage, Marty and Jeanette initially moved to Hackensack. In 1988, they welcomed their first son Christopher who just happened to be born on Marty’s birthday. Talk about a great birthday present! Then in 1990, this little family of three moved to Wayne and, two years later, grew to a family of four when they welcomed another baby son and brother, Spenser. Marty was very proud of his sons and found great satisfaction in seeing their accomplishments. Whether it was lacrosse, football, wrestling, marching band, jazz band or any other of their functions, he always tried his best to be there for them. Sadly, after twenty-four years of marriage, Jeanette passed away in 2011 at the young age of 49, after a one-year battle with leukemia.
Marty found his greatest pleasure in the simple things of life – a delicious meal, a good scotch, and a cigar. It was Marty who cooked dinner for the family every night, and family favorites included an Indonesian noodle dish called Bami and seafood gumbo. Following dinner by sipping a nice smooth glass of Johnnie Walker and a smoking a fine Cuban cigar was Marty’s definition of a great night. Marty also enjoyed taking in an episode of Star Trek or a good horror movie, and when it came to sports he rooted for the Mets, Knicks, Giants, and Miami Dolphins. Over the years, he also loved vacationing with his and Jeanette’s families. And when he wasn’t working, or cooking, or watching TV, he was probably down the street hanging with his neighbor, and friend, George.
Marty’s family described him as grumpy on the outside, but all love on the inside. He was very sarcastic, but that sarcasm was all a front. For instance, if you asked Marty for a favor, he would say no. Problem is, Marty was good at saying no, but he was bad at acting no. He would do anything to help you if you had a need. Even after working all night, he’d come home in the morning and happily take Jeanette’s elderly aunt and uncle, Moises and Ernestina, who lived just a few houses down the street, on all their errands – shopping, doctor visits, hair appointments – you name it! Marty wasn’t verbally demonstrative, and instead let his character and devotion define who he was. Above all else, he loved his family and friends, and there’s no doubt he will be sorely missed.
Martin was predeceased by his beloved wife Jeanette in 2011. He is survived by his much-loved sons: Christopher and Spenser, both of Wayne; his two dear sisters: Petra and husband Benjamin Ybera of New York City, and Karin Nelles-Rodriguez and husband Jose of Queens, NY; his nieces and nephew: Alina, Marijke, Brianna, Ursula, and Alejandro; and his cousin Amber.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Martin’s name are asked to consider The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 14 Commerce Drive, Suite 301, Cranford, NJ 07016 (www.lls.org).
Guestbook