Martin Godofsky Obituary (1912 - 2008)

Martin Godofsky, age 95, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Martin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Leah Metchnick Godofsky, who died in 1998; and his brothers Arthur and Irvin. Martin leaves behind his loving children Joyce (Dr. Larrie) Greenberg, Dr. Irvin (Judge Cynthia) Godofsky, and Carol (Michael) Singer. He was a devoted “Papa“ to grandchildren Abby (Shawn) Gritz, Dr. Jeffrey (Stefanie) Greenberg, Maya (Dr. David) Parver, Johonna (Aaron) Katz, and Sara and Gabriel Singer; adoring “Zaydie Marty” to great-grandchildren Joshua, Bradley, and Allison Gritz, and Jeremy, Adam, and Jake Greenberg. He is also survived by his loving sister Jeanette (Ben) Seiferas, sister-in-law Peggy Godofsky, and many nieces and nephews. Martin was born to Goldie and Hyman Godofsky on July 4, 1912 in Columbus on Mohawk St. in German Village. He attended South High School and Ohio State University School of Pharmacy, until he had a serious auto accident. He then went to work at his father’s butcher shop on Parsons Avenue, where he had worked as a teenager, and decided to make the food business his life’s work. Martin married Leah in 1936 and opened the first “Martin’s” in 1940 in the Driving Park area. He moved the growing store to Broad Street in 1950, and expanded to the final Broad Street location in 1971, where he and his son-in-law Michael Singer remained in business until they sold the store in 1989. Throughout the decades, Martin received national recognition for his innovative and progressive business practices, such as employee profit-sharing and equal opportunity. His business acumen and relationships with his customers in the entire Columbus area, as well as throughout the Midwest, West Virginia and Kentucky, brought Martin’s Foods to the forefront, especially in the area of the kosher and ethnic food business. Everyone who met Martin remembered him. He was a fine businessman who never lost sight of the importance of personal connections with everyone who came to the store. The store’s reputation in the community and beyond was forged by Martin’s unflagging dedication to making sure that he served his customers with genuine interest and care. Martin and Leah were generous supporters of their Jewish community, including Hadassah, Jewish National Fund, Columbus Federation, and several local synagogues. Most recently, Martin dedicated a garden in memory of Leah at Heritage House. Funeral service 3:00 PM, Monday, March 10, at WEXNER HERITAGE HOUSE, 1151 College Ave., with Rabbi Cary Kozberg officiating. Burial to follow at New Agudas Achim Cemetery. Shiva will be observed at the Singer residence Monday - Thursday evenings.