I wanted to give my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marty Halprin, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 62 in Tucson Arizona on February 17, 2013. ( Funeral services were held on Monday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue). Marty, an avid cyclist, had  just completed a 24-hour mountain bike race.

 Marty was a long-time supporter of cycling in Manitoba. The Manitoba Cycling Association wrote on its website:

"We are very sad to share that a strong supporter of Manitoba Cycling, Marty Halprin passed away this weekend. We understand that Marty was in Nevada, where he just completed a 24-hour mountain bike race. Marty was a long-time supporter of cycling in Manitoba. He attended the Saturday morning “Nick’s Inn ride”, supported the MCA annual awards banquet, and attended many races and events in and outside of the Province."

I had never met Marty before beginning this publication, and came to know him one day when he sent me an email expressing interest in advertising on this site. I remember that he was one of the first people in the community to contact me to become an ongoing advertiser. He could see early on the potential in this publication and wanted to be part of it and for that I owe him a debt of gratitude.

Marty always had a  smile, and a sparkle in his eye when I saw him, always dressed in jeans and casual clothing. He  was a pleasure to deal with, and I , no doubt , like many others was absolutely shocked to hear he had passed away.  He appeared to be very fit, and youthful, and I know he cherished getting away from Winnipeg  winters.

When I last saw him in his jewelry store, Marty was showing me photos of his cottage at West Hawk Lake and of the outdoors which he loved so much.  

The Manitoba  Cycling Association has written on its website, "We are very sad to share that a strong supporter of Manitoba Cycling, Marty Halprin passed away this weekend. We understand that Marty was in Nevada, where he just completed a 24-hour mountain bike race. Marty was a long-time supporter of cycling in Manitoba. He attended the Saturday morning “Nick’s Inn ride”, supported the MCA annual awards banquet, and attended many races and events in and outside of the Province."

In 2010, CBC news wrote about Marty when he  thwarted a bike thief who he spotted  when downtown while the man was furiously rocking a parking sign out of place to steal a 10-speed bike that was locked to it. Marty pulled up to him in his car and opened his car door to get out, which was enough action to convince the thief to run off. 

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2010/06/08/man-bike-theft-owner-foils-halprin.html.

Friends of Marty  have left comments on the Olympia Cycling Club website: lhttp://www.olympiacyclingclub.com/?p=3567.

One friend,Jack McCullough wrote:

"So, so sad. I rode many long, slow miles in the south of Spain with Marty in 1972, and shared many memories of our well spent, misspent youth in those halcyon days. Deep condolences to all of Marty’s family and friends. Marty, may a gentle breeze always be in your back..."

May Marty's memory be a blessing.