Former Windsor Raceway track announcer and harness racing advocate Martyn 'Marty' Allan Adler passed away peacefully on Aug. 24, 2024 at the age of 81 after putting up a long and courageous fight with cancer.
Marty was born to Sol and Belle (Isenberg) Adler on July 1, 1943 in Windsor, Ont. Marty was the older brother of Cheryl and Richard. After changes to district boundaries, he attended three high schools: Patterson, Kennedy and Massey Collegiate. He then studied at the University of Western Ontario where he planned to become Marty Adler MD, but left and became Marty Adler DJ.
Marty developed his work ethic during his teen years waking up at 4 a.m. to deliver baked goods for the family bakery. Marty was a huge fan of life in Essex County and promoted it throughout his life. Some will remember him as host of Reach for the Top or for his sportscasting ‘shtick’ on the CBC. Besides reporting on all the pro sports, he loved highlighting the high school teams and especially enjoyed giving students their ‘15 minutes of fame.’ Later, he went on to produce commercials and corporate videos for local businesses at his production company, Great Lakes TV.
Others will remember Marty as the Windsor Raceway track announcer where he spent many late nights for 40 years. He loved all facets of harness racing, including training and driving his own horses. He was a tireless advocate of the sport.
In retirement, Marty moved to Amherstburg falling in love with its quaint small-town feel. He wanted his last hoorah to be for this town and after three years and numerous obstacles, CKBG – The Burg, flooded the airwaves on July 3, 2023. A year later, CKBG was awarded the platinum designation for radio from the Windsor Community Voters. He last signed off the air on July 13, 2024 during his do-op dance party as Marty Adler DJ, coming full circle.
Marty was just as creative and passionate in his personal life always going over the top for his children doing things in his own zany way for Marcie Howard (Jeremy), Michael Adler (Irina) and Gregory Adler and his grandchildren Russell, Alden, Sophia, Ewan, Cael and Sammy. He was also friends until the end with his ex-wife, Lynne. He will be missed by many more friends and family, including brother Richard Adler and sister Cheryl Brody, nieces and nephews Jason, Adam, Seth, Noah, Erin and Amanda, and many others.
A graveside service will be held Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 at 11 a.m., Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery, 2650 Pillette Road, Windsor, ON, N8T 1R1, with Rabbi Sholom Galperin officiating.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Marty Adler.
The Best I Ever Worked With!
Just found out that Marty had passed. I had the pleasure and honour to work with Marty when I worked at TSN. I directed TSN's live racing. I also created and produced The Win Place Show which ran for3 years and was consistently ranked in the top 10 of TSN shows. It is well known that on-air hosts, especially in sports, can often be difficult to work with. That statement could never be said of Marty. He was by far the most professional and engaging talent I ever worked with. Now, The WPS was shot at every harness track in Ontario. We visited 18 harness track every year for 3 years. Besides showing a featured OSS race each week, we would do harness hints and bits that featured Marty and Earl Lennox. I can unequivocally state that I had never worked with anyone who delivered my material as well as Marty. I always tried to inject my shows with humour. Not only did Marty follow my script, he elevated it to a level I could only dream of. He was a star and he was responsible for any success the show enjoyed. I'm sure most here know that Marty also trained and drove harness horses. When I found out that when he quit driving, Marty had 96 wins to his credit, we put him back in the bike, created a segment called "The Road To Glory: Marty's drive for 100 wins." Because of his popularity, owners lined up to have Marty drive their horse for his100th win. When I asked him where he got the colours for his driving silks? He replied, "Wonder Woman."
I never worked with anyone who had so much fun doing what he did. He loved the sport. He loved TV. But most of all, he loved people. He made driving all those miles and working those many hours fun. His enthusiasm was infectious. Those 3 years were the best years of my life, both personally and professionally. Whenever I think of Marty, I just have to smile. I think that's the way it is with all of those who had the opportunity to know him. I can't imagine he would want his legacy to be any other way. Thank you Marty for being part of my life.
So Sorry to Hear
So Sorry to hear of Marty Adler's passing. What a fierce promoter of the Standardbred Racing Industry. In 1967, my father W.D. Morley DVM, of Mildmay, Ont. bought a horse that Marty had raced, "Parker Mite" who won a $2,500 Claiming Race at Mohawk, driven by Hall of Famer, William "Bud" Fritz. To his surprise, Dad received a call from Marty wishing him "best of racing in the future"! Even as a very young man Marty knew the importance of advancing our industry. Marty had to be Dwight Duncan's greatest nightmare! Thank you Marty! Rest in Peace.
Very sad news. Marty has…
Very sad news. Marty has been a giant in our industry for as long as I can remember. So many great memories from the Windsor Raceway years. He has a resume as long as your arm stretching from Little Brown Jug TV shows in Ohio to Hazel Park,Windsor,Leamington and OJC tracks in Toronto. He continually chased the politicians down with his microphone and held their feet to the fire as they were taking the slot money away from us. I was always hoping he would make it into the Hall of Fame while he was with us so we could all celebrate his accomplishments.
Oh so sorry to hear this…
Oh so sorry to hear this. Spent many a night and sometimes a matinee day listening to his voice call the races at Windsor Raceway. I basically grew up there as a teenager. One of my friends father loved going to the races. So better or worse I went too, LOL as a teenager. Kind of caught the racetrack bug and Marty calling the races was part of the deal. I remember I went to Hazel Park once and I couldn't understand a word the guy said. It sounded like mumbling. I was like, "Why can't this guy sound like Marty?"
JWBarbara, JWAlert, SuperJw, Ambro Venture, Blue Boots the great Cam Fella and even a horse called GlamorEmily who always led to the quarter by five lengths but always ended up coming in last. He called them all and he called them well. First Bob McIntosh and now him, end of an era.
He's the yardstick I use now when I hear someone announcing. Thanks for the Memories
Rest in peace.