Martin "Marty" R. Liberman

Martin R. Liberman, 90, of Lexington, MA, passed away on May 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Marty was born in July 1934, in Belmont, MA, to Hyman and Belle Liberman. He attended Belmont High School, the Tilton School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.

A dedicated and innovative professional, Marty owned and operated Hilco Electric Supply Co., Inc. for over 40 years. After selling his business, he continued working as a sales engineer at Standard Electric Supply Company until the age of 90. He took great pride in solving complex engineering problems and supporting his customers with unwavering diligence and care.

Marty’s passions were as vibrant as his personality. A lifelong athlete, he especially loved playing ice hockey. He skated in local non-check leagues and on frozen ponds well into his seventies, hanging up his skates only after a hip replacement. He was a devoted Boston Bruins fan and held season tickets for many years. One of his proudest moments came in 2001 when, as part of the Tilton School alumni team, he played in an exhibition game against the Bruins alumni. Ever playful, he even convinced Bruin legend Terry O’Reilly to stage a mock fight and take him down on the ice.

Boating was another adventure Marty embraced wholeheartedly. With his beloved wife, Sarah, he explored countless waterways in their 20-foot cruiser, trailering it to lakes and rivers across the east coast. Their journeys included boating from Belfast, ME to Bar Harbor, ME, circumnavigating Long Island NY, Lake Champlain to Quebec, the Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk, VA to Fort Lauderdale, FL, the Erie Canal from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY, Chesapeake Bay to Washington, D.C., and many trips around the Boston Harbor Islands. Later in life he enjoyed the quieter pace of lake boating.

Music was Marty’s lifelong love. He began classical piano lessons at age six and later discovered his talent for the clarinet. A gifted jazz musician, he played at clubs and private gatherings, especially cherishing the monthly “Sam’s Jam” sessions with friends. The annual “January Jam” at his and Sarah’s home became a cherished tradition for 33 years from 1975 to 2008, often drawing more than 150 people, including professional musicians - who came to the party after their gigs - featuring spontaneous jazz, a blazing fire on the deck, and ice skating on the pond until the wee hours of the morning.

Renowned clarinetist Craig Ball, founder of the White Heat Swing Orchestra, said of him: “Marty was a natural clarinetist. He always played beautifully, with an excellent tone—without even practicing.”

Those who knew Marty will remember his warmth, charm, and that unforgettable, mischievous smile. He had a way of making everyone feel at ease and formed deep, lasting friendships. His youthful spirit endured to the end—his hospice nurses were shocked to learn he was 90, thinking he was decades younger.

“My father and I were incredibly close,” said his son Cliff. “We talked almost every day.”

Marty was married to Barbara Baker Ewing until their divorce in 1973. They had two children.

He later found a lifelong partner in Sarah A. Liberman, with whom he shared over 50 loving and wonderful years.

He is survived by his wife Sarah A.; his son Cliff Liberman and daughter-in-law Sarah M., and their children Natanyah and Nathan; his daughter Karen Smith and son-in-law Matthew, and their son Jared; and his sisters Joanne Fray and Patricia Norris.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 6, at 10:30am at Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Avenue, Belmont, MA. The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.levinelive.com/martyliberman

Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marty’s name to the Beth El Temple Center, 2 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478, or online at: www.betheltemplecenter.org/community-menu/fundraising