Martin Leo Zaworski, 69, also known as “Marty the Meat Man” and the “Northeast Legend,” died in a car accident on April 9, 2025.
More than 400 people attended his memorial service April 15 at the Ukrainian American Community Center. “He wasn’t a perfect person, but he was the perfect Marty,” daughter Emily Lowry said.
Family members and others recounted his life as a family man, leader of the Northeast Lions Club, bingo caller, meat market employee at Cub Foods, proud Northeaster and lover of loud music and loud shirts.
Zaworski was the emcee of the recent Edison High School centennial event, and he was a 1974 graduate of the school.
“He was the kingpin of the Lions Club,” Past President John Hoyny said. “I think he got most of our donations through the years.”
Mike Iacarella, president of the Edison Community and Sports Foundation, said he worked with Zaworski for 30 years in the Lions Club, and they had grown up in the same neighborhood, a block away.
Iacarella said Zaworski was a key figure in the recent purchase of new uniforms for the Edison band.“Losing him so abruptly is like a gut punch to the whole community.”
Family members painted a picture of a loving and fun father, grandfather, uncle and friend who would cruise down the street with the radio blasting the Beatles while he and others in the car sang as loud as they could and Marty pounded on the steering wheel.
His wife, Heidi, also a super-active Lion, said, “He was the glue that held so many lives together.”
Daughter Jennifer Mendoza told of how he entertained customers at Cub Foods for 43 years. “He always made people laugh at the meat market, but his heart was the biggest cut of meat he ever showed.”
Grandson Caleb Mendoza said, “He had a special gift for bringing out the good in everyone. He had a love that didn’t seem to tire.”
Family members observed Zaworski had a penchant for stealing food off other people’s plates, but nobody complained. Others mentioned his love for candy. Daughter Mindy Myers said, “He was our legend. He brought sweetness to our lives.”
He is survived by his wife, Heidi; children, Jennifer Mendoza, Mindy Myers, Dustin (Debra) Hoffman, Ryan (Sadie) Hoffman, Emily (Aaron) Lowry, Molly (Nick) Stachowski, and Laura Zaworski; special daughters Brenda (Marty) Johnson and Brenna (Miguel) Kittleson, honorary son Tony; brothers Frank (Linda) Zaworski and Jeff Zaworski; sisters Polly (Garry) Hanson, Nancy Zaworski, and Becky Germundson; 32 grandchildren and one great grandchild.