Martin Belsky, who served as the president of USA Deaf Sports Federation from 1988-1990, passed away in Sunrise, Fla. after a long battle with an aggressive brain tumor. Belsky, 76, of Burton, Mich., was a well-known member of the Deaf community and known for his involvement in the Deaf sports world as an athlete and long-time coach and officer in several Deaf sports organizations.
A 1955 graduate of New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood), Belsky starred in high school and college sports and went on to graduate from Gallaudet University in 1959 and Eastern Michigan University in 1964. Belsky spent his career as a teacher, principal, and coach at the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint, Mich.
He served as the secretary and president of the Central Athletic Association of the Deaf (CAAD) and as the secretary and president of the American Athletic Association for the Deaf (AAAD; now known as USADSF). He was inducted into the CAAD and AAAD Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Fanwood Hall of Fame.
Belsky was an avid tennis player who enjoyed playing tennis at the Flint Tennis Club during the summers and at the Sunrise Lakes Tennis Club during the winters. Belsky was an animal lover. He enjoyed walking, reading, watching movies, playing and watching sports, especially basketball and tennis. He was a long time member of the Flint Association of the Deaf and Senior Citizens.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn, his two daughters Marta (BC) Belsky and Marianne Belsky. He is also survived by his sisters Irene Bess and Barbara (Ben) Rabin. He was predeceased by two sisters Audrey Sens and Janet Belsky.