Martin Comey started the Comey - Fitzgerald Family Foundation in 1999 after his retirement and marriage to his second wife, Mary Lee Fitzgerald (Erin Fitzgerald's mother and Clara Steuer's grandmother).  For over 31 years he worked as an accountant for Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals and gained wealth through the company's stock options and his own frugal planning.  Martin, or "Marty" was born in 1934 in Harlem, New York to first-generation Irish immigrant parents, who came to New York City from poor farm families in Ireland. They settled in a tenement apartment on 125th street, saved up enough money to open a corner grocery store where Marty worked when he wasn't playing stickball in the street, going to see Nat King Cole at the Apollo, or listening to the NY Yankees games on the radio.  (Later when he moved to New Jersey he bought the first season tickets offered in the 1970's to the NY Giants.)  Marty graduated from Fordham University and married his first wife Peggy.  They had 8 children.  After Peggy died in the late 1980's, Marty met his second wife, Mary Lee and they married in 1991. 

Marty and Mary Lee wanted to introduce their adult children to philanthropy with a mission to give back to small, community-based, non-profit organizations that made a big difference in people's lives but were often over-looked due to their small size and low visibility. Local libraries, food-pantries, small fire departments, education, and mental health programs, restoring historical synagogues and churches, are just a few examples of CFFF's funding over the years. Explosion Track Club meets CFFF's criteria due to its small size but big dedication to children's overall development--physical, mental, and emotional health while emphasizing the importance of education and community service.  As volunteers, ETC's coaches, board of trustees, and parents dedicate so much time and effort to the mission of the organization. CFFF realizes all the hard work that goes into keeping ETC going and is happy to offer support with their $1,000 annual donation. 

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Marty and Mary Lee, YOU ARE EXPLOSIVE!!!