Martin Joseph Radeer

Martin “Marty” J. Radeer died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, December 1, 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at the age of 78. Marty was the son of late Martin J. Radeer, Sr. and Mary (Zambella) Radeer. He is survived by his wife Marion (Accardi) Radeer, his son Brian Radeer of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, his daughter Lindsey (Radeer) Williams, his grandchildren Carter and Graham of Los Angeles, California, his brother Herbert M. Radeer and his wife Kathleen of Naples, Florida, as well as many beloved cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

To paint a picture of who Marty was – He was a lifelong artist, competitive athlete turned coach, and arts educator. As a boy, he could be seen sketching a drawing, or heard bouncing his basketball up Swan Street in Lambertville, NJ as the street lights came on every night. He was an artist who became an arts educator, inspiring many students to use their “artistic license” to paint, draw, or sculpt the world as they saw and felt it. He loved sports as an athlete at Jersey City State College and even more as an athletic coach at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. Marty loved his wife, his family and all people. He made everyone feel like a friend, often telling a great comical story. With each retelling and to all of our amusement, those stories grew into bigger and funnier tales that delighted anyone who heard them.

Marty’s artistic medium was watercolor. He saw ordinary subjects and painted each stroke just blurry enough to reduce the sharp real-life edges of reality. He painted the subject like a beautiful, soft and warm memory. To his delight, in 2015 his watercolor of the New River and downtown Fort Lauderdale was chosen as the winner of Go Riverwalk magazine’s June cover competition. Many friends and family have their own, one-of-a-kind painting in their homes that will no doubt be cherished.

Marty was a true friend and family man. He was the husband who loved his wife and when not driving her crazy, made her laugh daily. He was the father who showed up to every life event with joy and support and he was the friend who was at your side for a laugh or a cry, and hopefully a round of golf. The role where he truly shined was as Pop-Pop to Carter and Graham. He loved to connect and spend meaningful time with his grandchildren. He believed in the magic of making childhood memories, art as an expression of self and one’s view of the world, sports as a medium for life lessons, laughter as the best medicine and the greatest form of connection. Above all, he believed that life and being a family man was fun and honorable.

A memorial service will be held in Lambertville, NJ in the spring of 2024. Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The Children’s Fund at Give2.chop.edu or by mail at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.