Martin Hurwitz

Martin Hurwitz ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Segal Funeral Home - Beth David Chapel - Tampa on Mar. 17, 2026.Martin Richard Hurwitz, 87, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026. Martin was born on March 19, 1938, in New York to Sylvia Langner and Eli Hurwitz. He moved with his family in 1945 to Miami, Florida. After attending Miami Senior High School, Martin graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in accounting. He served as Chancellor of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, completed the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and was inducted into the Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society. He met Sandra Mae Markowitz at the university, and they married in Tampa, Florida. An officer in the United States Army for 20 years, Martin served as a Radar Surveillance Officer in the Cuban Missile Crisis, commanded an Air Defense Missile battery in Germany during the cold war, was a Platoon Leader, Advisor and Corps Staff officer during two yearlong tours in Viet Nam, and was the budget director for day-to-day Army operations at the Pentagon for four years. He finished his military career as commander of an Air Defense Missile battalion attached to the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, KS. After military life, Martin returned to the accounting field, joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department where he served for many years as the Director of the Fiscal Division. He was an active volunteer in Sun City Center, Florida, elected as a Director for the Sun City Center Community Association and as treasurer of the Laurel Woods property owner's association. He was a founding member and treasurer of Beth Israel Jewish Congregation in Sun City. Martin enthusiastically enjoyed many hobbies over the years. He was a lifelong avid target shooter, woodworker, photographer, gardener, and golfer. He fished, hunted, camped, sailed, and explored leather carving and stained-glass work, sharing all those activities with family and friends. He and Sandra loved to cruise and travel, visiting all 50 of the United States and 75 foreign countries. Martin is survived by his wife Sandra of 64 years, daughter Mavra Kear (Ralph) of Lakeland, Florida, son Kenneth (Wendy) of Sarasota, Florida, four grandchildren, three (and soon to be four) great-grandchildren, sister Marilyn Shapo (Ronald) of Sarasota, Florida, and a niece and nephew. Burial will be with military honors at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.