At a doctor visit a month or so ago, Marty asked his heart doctor how long he had to live. “Marty,” he told him, “you should’ve been dead five years ago.” As most of you know, Marty was diagnosed with amyloidosis and has continued to battle through strong headwinds to continue living out his life’s passions—teaching tennis and teaching and living his life principles.
Less than two months ago, Marty finally retired from teaching. He no longer had the strength to lift his racquet and hit the ball. His shoulders were, in his words, “shot.” He taught his last lesson on December 12 at the Hopewell Tennis and Swim Center.
Marty says the decision to stop teaching brought on a mixture of sadness and relief. It was taking a superhuman effort from both Marty and Mary Ellen over the past few years for Marty to continue teaching—he overcame the ICU and hospitalization from COVID pneumonia, the broken hip that landed him again in the hospital and then two rehab centers, and then that darn amyloidosis, staving off the weakening of his heart and impact of the disease on his entire body. While Marty powered through with grit, determination, and his love of life, Mary Ellen ferried him around, making sure he had the appropriate medication and made his doctor appointments and getting him to the tennis court to teach. The snowy, icy weather made this last task nearly impossible, and getting out of the driveway made it even more onerous. Once he retired, Marty realized even more clearly how he had used his mind to block the physical pain in his body.
Teaching tennis has given Marty untold joy and pride in the remarkable changes he’s seen in those who have come to learn from him over the years. The feeling is reciprocated. This January 4th email from Marty’s amazing lesson coordinator, Maureen Myers, to Marty’s students says it best.
Last Sunday Marty called me to announce some very difficult news. Due to some health issues, he has decided to give up teaching. As we can all imagine, this decision did not come easy. While we are all extremely brokenhearted about it, we certainly understand his decision. Our incredibly wonderful, amazing, inspiring 92-year-old coach has defied the odds several times to get back to teach us on the court. Last spring he broke his hip during a drill and was back on the court in 2 months with a new hip. That, with his positive attitude to go along with it, had us all in awe.
What Marty has done for our tennis games is positively incredible. What he has done for our spirits is immeasurable.
92 years old – WHAT A RUN!
Please stay tuned as we try to figure out how we are going forward with the gifts that Marty has given us.
Much love and gratitude to all of you for being part of this amazing experience with this incredible human being. There are no words. For the last 18 years or so, it has been an absolute honor and privilege for me to organize this very special experience we’ve shared.
In response to Maureen’s email, Marty and Mary Ellen began to receive so many touching cards, phone calls, and emails it became emotionally overwhelming and logistically challenging. They both would love to be able to respond to each person, but it is too difficult as Marty navigates the next phase of his life. If you’d like you can leave a message for Marty in the Comments to this newsletter. Know that he will see and appreciate it.
While Marty and Mary Ellen were dealing with the fallout from the most recent snowstorm, they set up palliative care for Marty to help manage the pain he’s experiencing. Marty acknowledges that this stage of his life is challenging. He is taking medications which are making him more comfortable.
Through it all, Marty’s not stopped living. He has been inspired by the Ken Burns series on the Revolutionary War. Both he and Mary Ellen, a local and family history afficionado and researcher, are particularly taken by the footprints of that history that mark the localities around the Delaware River where they live.
Both Mary Ellen and Marty stay on top of the sports world, watching the College Football Playoffs, the Australian Open, the NFL, and now the Olympics. Marty was also able to participate in his family’s celebrations around the holidays, and he’s thrilled that their kids, grandkids, & great grandson are doing well.
February 7 was Marty’s birthday, his 93rd. Please hold this man who has such a big heart in your hearts.
Cathy Kreyche and Ann LoPrinzi
We were family back in the day where we played tennis & then made a big veggie dinner in your kitchen. Before & after kids we had a great time together. Will never forget those times. Precious days & memories. Love you so much & for all the inspiration you have given us all. ❤️❤️❤️
Well done, Ole Buddy. I fondly remember our battles at the swamp more than 20 years ago as we have been here in SC for 16 years. Turned 86 in Dec and am still playing and teaching but our Dec/Jan have been awful and the courts have been frozen but I will hit this week as the temp will be in the 60s.
would love to see you but have no plans to travel soon even Geoff and 2 Gkids are in Tenafly where he is still managing the club. No more F/S nationals since we won a silver and a bronze in 2019. Age does take its tool and I am dealing with heart issues but take guidance from you and guts it out as best I can. Suzanne is about the same but has a blood disorder and has lab work every 2 weeks and the experimental pills she is taking is keeping her stable but her keys measurements are at the bottom of the scale and the pills have not got her normal yet and the doctors are not sure they understand why as they have no real history.
Keep hanging and doing all you can. i still have my golf grip business going and am having very few senior moments, at least I believe that. God bless you my dear friend and many thanks to Cathy and Ann for keeping the news flowing.
Many thanks for all the encouragement and friendship over the years. All the tennis and life lessons will stay with me always!
With love and gratitude
Sari (roadrunner)
Quite an amazing man! My only connection with him is through my sister Janet Hines. We lived on Rutherford Avenue near Hermitage Avenue. Both my sisters Mary and Janet went to Junior 3 and Trenton High, but it was Janet who was either in the same grade or one behind Marty. If she were still alive, she would also be 92. I have many memories associated with Marty Delvin’s name. But specific memories are a bit blurry. But for sure he was funny and friendly. In her later years I recall my mother commenting that Janet had been part of a very “nice group of young friends” and I believe Marty was one of the leaders. So it’s not surprising that he turned out to be such a successful man who is admired by many people. Congratulations to Marty and Mary Ellen!
My connection to Marty goes way back to the early 1960s. We were both students at Trenton State College, you were the student baseball coach and I played on the college tennis team. One day you wandered over to the tennis courts while the tennis team was practicing and as I recall you were just starting tennis. You told me you had just taken up the game and asked me for some pointers. You asked to hit a few balls and so we did. Little did I realize that you would go on to have such a great career in the game not only as a player and coach, but as a spokesperson and representative for our sport. Over the years we played many times and even though you achieved so much in the game, you made each and every person with whom you came in contact feel important and special. I salute you for your talents as a player, coach and most importantly as a person who made a difference to so many of us.
Marty is a hero to so many of us. I grew up on stories from his days playing for the Schroths to his tennis career and exploits to his coaching. To 93 more years. David Schroth
Hey Ole Buddy,
Greetings from Milano Cortina and the Winter Olympics! While your tennis history is amazing, here in Bormio and Cortina watching the Alpine Downhill reminds me of my first experience skiing at Haystack and Mount Snow with you! You took a first time skier to the top of the mountain and said just follow me down. If not for Stan Dlugosz I’d be dead.
What enjoyable memories we have on the mountain and tennis court!
Happy birthday Marty!
Regards,
Dave Haggerty
Happy 92nd!
We are off on another cruise. This time to Egypt. I will touch base with you when get back.
Happy Birthday!
John Goodwin
Marty, there are not enough words to express my gratitude and love for you…going back more years than I care to admit. You have given words of wisdom to my children that they still quote (now decades later) and certainly strive to live by, the least of which is an always positive answer to “what kind of a day did you have”?
And the adults on the sideline learned from you too, and I think you made us better parents. One of the best things I ever did was stop talking about how much fun the kids had on the court with you (or in your pool), and start joining them…you are the reason I play tennis and watch or attend every Open, every year. You are an amazing person. If everyone had the same outlook on life that you have, this world would be a much better place.
I love you, and our entire family does too.
Happy 93rd Birthday Mr. Devlin! It was such a pleasure working for you at Rider until I started student teaching in the spring of 1974. Working 10 hours a week for $1.65 and hour gave me spending money that enabled me to buy clothes and enjoy the Pub and other fun things. You were truly a great man to work for and your positive attitude was infectious. I was always happy to come to work, and it was one of the best jobs I ever had. You have touched the lives of so many, many people and should be so proud of the life you have led. I so enjoyed reading your book, it was inspirational. Best wishes always, Sharon O’Halloran Niedzwiecki 🙂
Just wanted to say how much I admire Marty. His positivity on the tennis court contributed so much to everybody’s game.