Martin Kelly Hoag

Age 96

Marty Hoag, longtime community leader and distinguished veteran of WWII, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 12, 2016, with his loving family at his bedside.

Marty was born on June 9, 1919 on Staten Island, NY to the late Maurice Judson Hoag and Aileen (Kelly) Hoag. He was the oldest of three children, with younger sister, Aileen and brother, Ervin.

Sports were an important part of Marty's early life and he especially enjoyed playing basketball at Port Richmond High School. One of his fondest high school memories was the excitement of playing in a basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Following his high school graduation, Marty began his studies at The NY State Institute of Agriculture at Farmingdale on Long Island. He took pleasure working with large animals and initially, his goal was to become a dairy farmer. One of the many highlights of his time at Farmingdale came when the college's director invited him to narrate the sheep shearing exhibition at the 1939 World's Fair.

After his graduation in 1940, Marty accepted a position at Farmingdale as an instructor, where he worked until he was drafted into the US Army on May 12, 1941. Coincidentally, Marty would go on to live exactly 75 more years from that induction date!

During his first two years in the service, Marty completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, VA. He entered into active service on May 12, 1943 as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander. He was the leader of the third platoon of the 145th Combat Engineer Battalion.  Their principal duties included bridge building, road repairs and mine field removal. Marty completed his tour of duty as a 1st Lieutenant in General George Patton's Third Army, serving in all five WWII European Campaigns.

After the war, Marty accepted an entry level job in Bridgeton, NJ at the GLF (later to become Agway) Feed Store. He would jokingly refer to this new position as "feed store flunky and rat stomper". It was during his tenure in Bridgeton that he met and married his first wife, Vivian Jepson. Their only daughter, Aileen, was born the following year. Marty would remain with GLF for eleven years, ending his career in Vineland, as the South Jersey District Manager.

In 1959, as the decline of the poultry industry became apparent, Marty embarked upon a new career with the New York Life Insurance Company, selling insurance. By the early 1960's, he was recognized as one of New York Life's top producers in South Jersey and he became an annual member of the Million Dollar Round Table. In 1967, he earned the Certified Life Underwriters designation from the American College of Life Underwriters.

As time passed, Marty's business began to include money management services and in 2000, he joined forces with his son-in-law, Frank C. Parrish, to form the Hoag-Parrish Financial Management Company. For over fifty years, Marty loved working with his clients, many of whom became close friends. His enthusiastic attitude was best represented by the sign on his door, which read: "Thank God It's Monday!"

Throughout his sixty-two years in Vineland, Marty became actively involved with many community organizations. Most memorable were the years he served as Vineland City Council President and Chair of the Newcomb Hospital Board of Directors. In addition, Marty sat on the boards of several local banks and businesses. He was a longtime member of the Vineland Rotary Club and tirelessly worked on their Membership Committee.

One of Marty's greatest pleasures was sharing his love of horses with his daughter, Aileen.  They rode together on weekends with Marty caring for his gelding, Fury, for fifteen years.

Gardening was a real joy for Marty and his second wife, Iris. They maintained a beautiful property with a wide variety of trees, flowers and a large vegetable garden. In addition, Marty enjoyed a lifelong love of music, especially the Big Bands and his favorite, Bunny Berrigan singing "I Can't Get Started".

In 2009, Marty took a final trip to New York City to see his grandson, Andrew, graduate from New York University at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden. He had long hoped to live to celebrate Andrew's success and would often say: "It was the best investment I ever made!"

Perhaps Marty's greatest legacy was one of loyalty. Loyalty to his country, his family and his friends. We will all miss his dapper hats and ready smile.

In addition to his parents, Marty was predeceased by his first wife, Vivian, his second wife, Iris and his sister, Aileen H. White.

Marty is survived by his loving daughter, Aileen H. Parrish and her husband, Frank Parrish of Landenberg, PA, his grandson, Andrew Martin Parrish, of Brooklyn, NY. and granddaughters, Valerie Parrish, of Laramie, WY and Allison Parrish and her husband, John Kords, of Montpellier, VT, along with their children, Magdalena and Jay. His brother, Ervin M. Hoag and his wife, Susan, of Chatham, NJ, along with four cousins, eight nieces and two nephews also survive him. Additionally, Marty is survived by his devoted "niece", Barbara Karwowski.

Furthermore, he is survived by Iris' son, David West and his wife, Elizabeth, of Lower Bank, NJ, their children, David and Rachael, along with their families and Iris' daughter, Cynthia Berchtold, of Cherry Hill, NJ.

Marty's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Visiting Angels of Marmora, NJ, for the loving care they provided for over five years. Marty was blessed with many wonderful "Angels", but none more revered by his family than his special angel, Mendell (Mendi) Hickman.

The family would also like to thank Journey Hospice of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, for their kindness and support during Marty's final months.

A celebration of Marty's life will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 2384 E. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08361.

Friends and family may call beginning at 9:00 am at the church.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to either, Visiting Angels 110 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 6, Marmora, NJ 08223 or the Rotary Club of Vineland P.O. Box 7 Vineland, NJ 08362.

Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the family.

Arrangements are by the WAINWRIGHT-BERNHARDT Funeral Home, Vineland.