General Information
Full Name: Martin Etler
Date of Death: Sunday, September 7, 2025
ETLER, Martin “Marty” — a resident of Fair Lawn Borough for 70 years — passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the age of 96.
Martin was predeceased by his father, Jack Etler; mother, Rose Baruchin; stepfather, Alexander Baruchin; brother, Harold Etler; and his beloved wife of nearly 58 years, Violet “Vi” Etler. He is survived by cousins Harold and Alan Aspis; nieces Sim Van Houwe and Viane Lizza; and nephew David Van Natta.
Born in Queens, NY, Martin graduated from East Side High School in Paterson, NJ, and from the Teterboro School of Aeronautics. He served in the U.S. Air Force (352nd Bomb Squad, 301st Bomb Group) from 1947–1951 as a Flight Engineer and Aircraft Mechanic. Following his honorable discharge, he began a 38-year career with United Airlines at Newark International Airport, where he was a proud member of the International Association of Machinists Union. Marty received two Merit Awards from United for extraordinary service on separate occasions and played an instrumental role in establishing the union charter for United at Newark.
In 1952, Marty moved to Fair Lawn, and in 1954, he married the love of his life, Vi. Beginning his public service in 1975, he served in his local government in many roles: Zoning Board (17 years), Planning Board (3 years), Planning Board Liaison for the Council (7 years), Fair Lawn Council (7 years), Deputy Mayor (5 years), Mayor (1 year), Liaison to the Fire Board (7 years), and as the founder of the Fair Lawn History Committee. Marty also served as a Fair Lawn Democratic County Committeeman for 49 years and contributed on the Bergen County Highway Safety Committee (4 years), the Bergen County Community Development Committee (2 years), and as an Aide to State Senator Joseph Coniglio (District 38).
He was a proud member of several organizations, including the 301st Bomb Group/Wings Association, Retired United Airline Employee Association (Gardenstaters), Harry Coppendyke American Legion Post 171, and the North Jersey Radio Control Club (Model Airplanes).
Viewings will be held at Louis Suburban Chapel, 13-01 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ (201-791-0015), on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 3–5 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Louis Suburban Chapel on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fair Lawn Public Library, 10-01 Fair Lawn Avenue, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 (201-796-3400), by mail or online at https://www.fairlawnlibrary.org/friends-of-the-library
Service Information
Visitation:
Sunday, September 14, 2025
3:00 – 5:00 PM & 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Louis Suburban Chapel
13-01 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Service:
Monday, September 15, 2025
11:00 AM
Louis Suburban Chapel
13-01 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Burial To Follow At:
George Washington Memorial Park
234 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652
Mayor Marty Etler had an amazing capacity to find his own jokes so absolutely hilarious that he would start laughing, tears rolling down his cheeks, wheezing, gasping for breath, and you couldn’t help but be caught up in the laughter yourself.
I am truly fortunate to have heard 96 years’ worth of stories and memories. He would tell me about his travels with Vi, the shenanigans that got him into trouble with Vi, and he was always interested in hearing the latest Fair Lawn Borough gossip.
He always ended our conversations with a “Luv ya.” Farewell, my friend. I will miss you and LUV YA too.
As an employee at the Borough of Fair Lawn, (Engineering Secretary and Planning Board Secretary) I came to know Marty. His compassion for others was a mark of a truly good man,. When he would stop by my office I knew I would be laughing by hearing a good joke or some of his antics. He always had a smile on his face and that is how I will Rember him.
Heartfelt condolences and prayers for the family. Marty was an awesome person and very kind to many. It was a privilege and honor to know him.
Marty was a wonderful man. I met Marty when I started at United Airlines in 1978. My dad Roger Holder was his supervisor at United.
Marty’s laugh would fill the room, loved by all. I would see him lately at the monthly United retiree lunch always with a story and that laugh. He will be tremendously missed.
On 4-26-2024 Marty wrote us ….
To all my friends and colleagues along the flight line. On Wednesday, April 24 I reached a landmark in my life to become 95 years old. Please don’t ask me to give you advice about how to get to old age, because there is no special answer except have a good attitude toward things, and you can’t change the world. In the past few days leading up to my birthday there have been many calls and people stopping by to say hello and to give me best wishes, I can tell you it never felt better. Having all that is better than taking medicine. My friends at the United retirement club gave their best wishes, my friends at the Rotary gave their best wishes. They brought out a birthday cake for me with some candles, and I a blew them out and made a wish, “that I can understand women” I even had a little party year at the retirement home and some more of my friends stopped by. I hope if I make 96 I will have the same visitations. Now that I have reached the twilight of my life, the thoughts and memories a lifetime, my 38 years at United Airlines, my 58 year marriage to my wife Violet and my 4 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force, and my never ending political career gives me plenty to think about each day. Funny how you can remember only the good things. Medicine and doctors appointments seem to dominate everyone in this rest home, myself is no exception. I do still keep active in the Fairlawn Rotary and with my United Airlines retirement club, and for that I am eternally grateful. Some good friends take care of the driving for me. I know that someday the Prince of darkness will enter my room, I’m constantly thinking of ways to avoid him, I’ll take all the good advice I can get. To all many thanks for all your good wishes. Marty
I have many fond memories of Marty, and seeing what Liz wrote is one. What a personality Marty had, always smiling, always laughing, always happy, until he became so emotional and he would choke up at some of his own stories. I met Marty at the Fair Lawn senior center Memoirs group. This man was not shy about displaying any and all of his emotions, and for this I really admired him. During one of my own memoirs Marty learned about my WW2 hero uncle, Marty revealed to us about his brother also a WW2 hero who is buried in Normandy. At the time I was doing research and was corresponding with a Mister Jerome Dubois a French citizen who visits Normandy. I asked him to please locate Marty’s brother Harold. Mr. Dubois sent me a picture of the gravesite, and I gave this to Marty. Marty and Jerome promptly began to correspond. To this day Harold Etler is always remembered, and Mr. Dubois continues to honor both Harold and Marty. Thank you so much for your friendship, Marty. May your memory be a blessing. Rose