Many of us have lost a caring friend in the passing of Marty Duskin. The retired, longtime afternoon news producer at New York's WCBS Newsradio88 and before that a respected and admired rewrite man at The Jersey Journal and The Newark Star-Ledger died very peacefully Nov. 7, 2016, at a senior living center in New Jersey's Howell Township, according to a family friend. Marty Duskin was 86.

The last time we spoke on the phone a few weeks ago he indicated this had been a very difficult period of his life because walking was a problem, among other things. Marty was never a complainer but at the point that we spoke he had a laundry list of health problems. He was, in my estimation, the glue that held the newsroom together in times of crisis during his 25 years, and he was a dedicated producer who slotted stories for anchors and writers and made certain that there was ample sound for all of the day's major stories. A graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, and later a Master's recipient from Columbia University, Marty was married for 55 years to the love of his life, Bernice, who predeceased him. Their son, George, died in a 1999 car crash.

One of the terrific things about Marty is that you could talk to him about most any subject and turn it into a conversation. His life was news but he was also a sports enthusiast and a huge baseball fan. Most of all, the Marty I knew was a people person who was always gracious, courteous and if need be, would give you the proverbial shirt off his back. To the best of my knowledge, Marty did not have any other family, but I'm sure I speak for many in saying he's survived by a legion of friends and former colleagues who always appreciated a helping hand from the well informed PM-Drive Producer!