Martin "Marty" Stanford Jaffe

The Making of:

“THE MARTIN”

 Planes, Trains and Automobiles … (lots of automobiles, boats too!)

          Martin or “Marty” as most referred to him, was a man constantly on the go and, “making things happen!” As a salesman, manager and owner, Marty had a nearly 50-year, illustrious career in the car business. It was very tough to imagine the day which he was not wheelin’ & dealin’! Marty followed in his Dad’s footsteps, “Daffy Jaffe” aka Robert (Bob) Jaffe. Daffy Jaffe was a well-known name in the used car business in and around Long Beach, CA, which is where Marty started off only after he and his sister, Diane, tried their hand at selling encyclopedias door-to-door. Throughout his career in the automobile industry, he had specialized in “career development” for the staff which worked under him. Marty did so by having regular “Sales Meetings” which sometimes included or led to what he called “Come to Jesus” meetings! (The fact he was Jewish and did not believe in Jesus was not relevant for this part of his story!) These “meetings”, albeit Sales or Come to Jesus, did not stop with the staff he managed as many, if not all, of those close to him (and some not so close, too) have all been subjected to such “meetings!”

          Then came his love of planes, along with the flying of them which had been a lifelong dream of his. In the late 1990’s, he finally took flying lessons. All was well and good with his flying lessons until a mishap between the hangar, Marty and the plane happened! After this “mishap”, Marty chose to hold off on any further lessons. (Some of us just might have had a sigh of relief!)

          For Marty, nothing said “Holidays” without a toy train set chugging around our “Hannukah Bush” (aka Christmas Tree). He shared his enthusiasm of trains with his first-born grandson, Xander buying him his very own deluxe Lionel train set when he was 5 years old. Twenty years later the train set is still preserved and waiting for the next generation. 

          Marty held a great love for the water, especially being out on it! He loved to sail, which he learned at a fairly young age. Marty also loved fishing trips with his buddies or with going out his young daughters, Keri & Shelley at local lakes or going out on Deep Sea Charter Boats in Southern California. He was a part of the San Diego Yacht Club in the late 1980’s/early 90’s where he loved to take family and friends out sailing on their fleet of boats. Marty was set on having his very own vessel for many years, becoming something he felt he had to do before he died. This desire led him to shop feverishly for a boat mere weeks before his passing, regardless of the fact he would not have been able to get on board a boat at that time, he was surely still going to check it off his list! Unfortunately (or fortunately) he did not manage to fulfill this dream, instead bought himself a new car (secretly) which coined the nickname of “The Boat”.

The Wonderful World of Animals…

          Marty loved animals – perhaps dogs held a greater love than other animals, regardless, animals had a special place in his heart. After buying his first home in Anaheim, CA, Marty brought home the first of his “Poodles”. Two Standard white Poodles, named “Primo” and “Poncho” then a black toy poodle named “Pepe” joined the pack. Over the years he has had many dogs (fish and some cats, too). He viewed his dogs as family members, referring them to be brothers, sisters, aunts, or uncles to his human family. Up until his last days, he shared his greatest love with “Sampson” (“Sam”) and “Sophie”, two black Royal Standard Poodles. He referred to them as his “Caregivers” often causing much confusion with the multitude of doctors and nurses he encountered, leaving many to think he was suffering with delusions due to this! A matter of weeks following Marty’s death, his best, closest Poodle, “Sam”, succumbed to what may have been a broken heart or possibly Marty just wanting him to be with him again and passed away. They are together again.

Whereas Marty adored his actual pets along with watching the “Animal Planet” channel on repeat, he also really liked stuffed toy animals. The BIGGER the BETTER! Oh, and never too many! He showered his girls, Shelley and Keri with plenty of them and then began getting VERY large stuffed animals for his grandkids which were always much larger than the kids were! The kids all share fond memories of these gifts. (With exception of the “stuffed” armadillo which sat on the fireplace hearth, which the history of it remains a mystery!)

Let’s Eat Cake!!

          “On This Auspicious Occasion” … (cue the tapping of the glass with one of his utensils) Marty would begin each one of his “speeches” with his family and friends gathered around, he would poignantly share his love and gratitude for whatever the gathering may have been. As his emotions would begin building inside of him during his reflections, he would simply switch gears and say, “LET’S EAT CAKE!” Although sometimes it would be turkey or soup or something else about to be served, however this brings up CAKE! Ooooohhhh, Marty LOVED cake! Even better with ice cream or whipped cream or BOTH!! Truth be told, Marty loved all sweets! He was indeed an equal opportunity sweets aficionado! From “Rice Krispies Treats” to German Chocolate Cake to Bread pudding and everything in between, he never turned a sweet offering down!

          Marty lived his life as one huge “Auspicious Occasion!” Full of friends that he loved like family and family who he loved without measure. His gregarious style, both in attitude and fashion, you always knew when Marty was around! We will carry these pieces of him, and more, in our hearts forever and honor him by continuing to see life as one big “Auspicious Occasion” and celebrate what we have. 

Just the facts…

          Martin Stanford Jaffe was born January 29, 1946 to Robert (Bob) Jaffe and Adrienne Weitzman Jaffe in Long Beach, California and died in Phoenix, Arizona on December 2, 2020 at the age of 74. Marty was their first-born son, following his sister Diane, a mere 13 months later. His brothers, John and Michael came after Marty. About 5 years after Michael was born, Bob and Adrienne adopted Linda, also about 5 years old and Monty who was about 2 years old, bringing the Jaffe kids’ count to six.

The Jaffe’s lived in Southern California for many years before moving to Bethesda, Maryland to be near to their very close family friends, The Bryson’s, although the Jaffe’s did ultimately end up back in Southern California. Marty had married Sharla Uman in 1970 and had two girls together, Keri Lynne Jaffe and Shelley Marie Jaffe within 11 months of one another. Marty and Sharla went different directions once the girls were close to graduating high school. Following their split, Marty met his one truest love, Christie Rankin and got married in 1992. Marty’s adoration for Christie was immense and endless. Marty gained a son, Curtis Gallagher, through his marriage to Christie.

Marty is survived by his cherished wife, Christie Jaffe and his daughters Keri Jaffe (Heberlee) and Shelley Jaffe (Hobbs) and son, Curtis Gallagher along with their spouses: Vaughn Heberlee, Paul Havens (Shelley’s Fiancé) and Kisha Gallagher and their children, Marty’s seven Grandchildren: Alexander, Adrienne & Avrey Hobbs, Remington and Huntington Heberlee, Tyllan and Kaden Gallagher. Marty’s siblings: Diane Jaffe Fernandez-Baca & spouse, Jaime; John Jaffe & spouse, Barbara; Michael Jaffe & spouse Jacqueline.