Martin Ury's Obituary
Martin Matthew Ury
January 19, 1933 – June 6, 2026
Brooklyn, NY • Hollywood, FL • 93½ Years of Doing It His Way
Martin Matthew Ury, of Hollywood, Florida, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 6, 2026. He was 93½ years old, and if you knew Marty, you understand that the half year mattered. He earned every single day of it.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on January 19, 1933, to Samuel and Lily Ury, Marty arrived in this world already pretty sure he knew better than everyone else. Spoiler: he usually did. He grew up with his brother Nathan and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army for two years, an experience that likely confirmed what Marty already suspected: he was not built to take orders.
Marty approached life the way he approached a glass of Jack Daniels: with enthusiasm, no apologies, and zero interest in watering it down. He smoked cigars with the confidence of a man who had read every warning label and remained unconvinced. He owned boats, plural, because one boat is for people who aren't sure yet. He had, by all accounts, a remarkable appreciation for the company of women. And then, in what can only be described as a genuine miracle, he met and married Audrey, who saw something in this force of nature worth keeping. She was right.
One of the greatest constants in Dad’s life was his deep and unwavering love for Audrey. From the day they met until his final days, he never stopped caring for her or worrying about her well-being. Even while living in the nursing home, one of his most frequent questions was simply, “Is Audrey okay?” His devotion never faded.
When they were younger, Dad loved Mom so fiercely that it occasionally showed itself through a few jealous moments—always rooted in how much she meant to him. One memorable episode involved Happy, the owner of Happy’s Stork Lounge, and although tempers briefly flared, it ultimately became just another infamous story for Marty to tell.
Together, Mom and Dad built a life centered around family, laughter, and their shared love of the water. They spent countless days boating and enjoying the ocean. Some of their happiest times were the hundreds of weekends they shared aboard their beloved Moonraker at Boca Chita, the gateway to the Florida Keys. Those moments brought them peace, joy, and a lifetime of memories that they treasured together.
Through every season of life, their love endured. More than anything else, Dad simply adored Audrey, and that love remained in his heart until his very last day.
After completing his military service in his early 20s, Marty moved to Miami Beach and hustled to make a living by selling ice cream, valet parking cars, renting beach chairs and umbrellas. He then pursued his passion for the beauty industry, attending beauty school and becoming a hairstylist. His entrepreneurial spirit and tireless work ethic led him to own and operate numerous salons over the following decades, building a reputation for both business success and dedication to his craft. Later, with Audrey’s help, they transitioned from salon ownership to founding Martin Ury Associates, a manufacturers' representative agency serving the professional salon industry. The company they built through hard work, determination, and deep industry relationships continues to operate today, reflecting the lasting legacy they created.
The last several years were not easy for Marty or for those who loved him. He spent the past six months in the care of the Veterans Administration nursing home, and the adjustment was, to put it gently, a challenge. Marty had never been particularly interested in adjustments. But then, about six weeks before his passing, he was moved to the memory care unit, and something remarkable happened. He became calm. He became gentle. The man who had spent nine decades charging through life on his own terms settled into something quieter and, in its own way, beautiful. Visits became peaceful. Conversations became enjoyable. Those six weeks were a gift to his family, and perhaps to Marty himself. After some genuinely hard years, his loved ones are deeply grateful for that time, and for the long, full, spectacular life he lived.
Survivors
Martin is survived by his beloved wife, Audrey; his son Brett (Karalee); first cousin Michael (Joan) Ury; nephew Steven (Sharon) Ury; nieces Susan Rispoli and Nikki Mathewson; and great-nieces Holly, Charlotte, Stacia, Natalie, Leah, Nicole, Emily, and Elizabeth.
Preceded in Death
Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Lilly Ury; his brother Nathan (Beatrice) Ury; cousin Joe Ury; sister-in-law Patricia Mathewson; and nephew Mark Mathewson.
Martin Ury was one of a kind — There is no filling his shoes
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Martin's memory be made to:
https://www.boxerfriends.org via PayPal or Zelle using: [email protected]
Chapel service Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at Levitt Weinstein/Beth David Memorial Chapel 3201 N 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33024. (954)9563-2400.
Celebration of Life
Sunday, June 14, 2026
5:00pm-8:00pm
Brett's House
5270 NE 5th AVE
Miami, FL 33137
305-321-1102
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