Morgan Hill publisher and writer Martin Cheek died this week at the age of 57, according to his business partner, Robert Airoldi.
Cheek co-founded the bi-weekly community publication Morgan Hill Life in early 2013 and published it for more than 11 years.
Prior to that, he wrote for the Gilroy Dispatch, the Morgan Hill Times and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.
Cheek was born in Hollister and graduated from Palma High School in Salinas in 1985. He attended Gavilan College, where he was the student paper’s managing editor, then its associate editor. After graduating from Gavilan, Cheek attended San Jose State University, graduating in 1990 with a journalism degree.
Cheek took leave as a writer for the Morgan Hill Times and Gilroy Dispatch to run for Morgan Hill Unified school board in 2012. He also trained to become a Gilroy peace officer.
He teamed with Robert Airoldi, previously with the Gilroy Dispatch, to launch Life Media Group in 2013, which published Morgan Hill Life and later Gilroy Life.
Cheek co-authored “Clean Energy Nation: Freeing America From the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels,” a guide book to Silicon Valley and “The Path to Peace: A Vision-2020 Plan to Unite Humanity.”
Two years ago, Cheek told the Morgan Hill Times he had a plan to achieve global peace by Christmas Day in 2040. “It’s ambitious, it’s audacious, it’s also 100% doable,” he said.
Cheek said he was inspired in that quest by his mother Gisela, a Berlin-born teacher who had spent her childhood in the German city.
I am so sad to hear about Marty’s death. We met when taking digital media classes at Gavilan College, and immediately I sensed his deep concern for community and truth.
He was a joy to be around and he did a great service to our region.
I lost a friend, but Morgan Hill lost a loving champion of the city and the people in it. Marty was an optimistic soul who saw the best in people and had faith we could always do better. His impact and the memory of his many kindnesses will live on.
Marty was an amazing Individual who loved life and everything in it . If there was something wrong or broken he found a way to improve it ! His love for his community and His friends was so strong . He loved to cook and write and he did like red wine . He was my friend and brother in Christ ! Love you for ver Marty please keep an eye on all of us from heaven . Now that you are an angel !
I was introduced to Marty by a colleague at work (TJs) about two years ago. He would shop there about 3-4 times a week, and we always had a little chat when I was working.
Roughly six weeks ago, he told me about his latest book that he wrote (The Path to Peace), and I ordered a copy and read it on vacation. After I got back, he asked me if he would like to have a coffee/beers to discuss the book and to just chat about world events, and just to get to know each other. Our schedules didn’t match in the short-term, and it was pushed back but not finalized.
Just yesterday, about 30 minutes before I learned that he passed, I had hoped that he came into the market that day so that we might be able to schedule a time to meet. Upon going to work, the word had spread to five of us who knew him as a friend/customer, and we were all shocked to learn the news.
Marty was always friendly to everyone he came across at TJs. He called each person by name he chatted with, and he was always upbeat, funny and in a good mood. As Luann Hood stated above in the comments, he did like red wine, and it seemed like he bought a bottle to two each week at least when I was there.
I really wish that we did have the opportunity to meet to discuss his book and various topics, so that I could learn more about him. Although, I only saw him at work, I’m 100% positive that I would have considered him a friend after we ‘had a sit down’. I could tell that he was a solid person who only hoped for the best in people and for the world. Just a solid guy.
I am sad that I didn’t get to know him better, and I will miss him.
Morgan Hill took a hit with his passing.
Marty was a great soul! He had that boyish grin that brought joy to all who knew him. I am the Co-advisor to the AAUW-MH Young Women Leaders teen group. Marty encouraged one of our members to write an article regarding our Leadership Conference. She wrote an informative and articulate article because of Marty’s mentorship. He will certainly be missed in our community.
Marty was one of a kind. Entrepenural spirit, community caring volunteer and South County fixture. There were only a few people in South County when I came in 1970. His contribution to this community is evident by his life. Thank you Marty. Thank you staff and those who will continue to keep that fine publication going.