Martin S. Karas

MARTIN (Marty) S. KARAS, pharmacist and musician and longtime former resident of Newton, North Falmouth and most recently Palm Beach, died peacefully at his home in Palm Beach on January 24th surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old.

Marty was raised and educated in Newton, graduating from Newton North High School in 1952. He went on to attend the New England College of Pharmacy and upon graduating, became a registered pharmacist and joined his father Harry, also a pharmacist, at his father’s pharmacy (Donovan’s Drug) in Allston. Marty went on to establish Karas Pharmacy in Brighton where, as an early adopter of computer technology in the pharmacy setting, he expanded the business to provide pharmacy services to nursing facilities across eastern and central Massachusetts in addition to local retail customers.

Marty was always passionate about music. He began playing the drums at an early age and studied with one of the premier drum teachers of the time. Along with some of his high school musician friends he started playing gigs in Boston and Cape Cod. He was a longtime member of the Boston Musicians Association and played with bands in Boston, Cape Cod and Palm Beach until well into his seventies. He continued to sit in with musicians whenever an opportunity arose up until the time of his death. A lover of big band, jazz and Latin music, he was well respected by musicians, young and old, everywhere he played and had many cherished friends and colleagues in the music business.

Marty met the love of his life, Sandra Peterson of Roxbury and Milton, on Nantasket Beach at age 14 and they have been together ever since. Family meant everything to him, and he loved having his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around him. Marty and Sandra’s beautiful, welcoming homes in Falmouth and Palm Beach were places where family gathered regularly. Marty loved to putter in the garden and shine his cars, but most who were familiar with him, knew that if the weather was warm and the sun was shining, they would find Marty on the beach. That was his happy place.

Marty is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Sandra (Peterson). He is also survived by his children Scott and his wife Denise (Sloan) Karas, Beth (Karas Lechter) Rodman, and Elisa Karas, his grandchildren Matthew Lechter and his wife Brittany (Suslak), Dana (Karas) and her husband Paul Branco, Adam Karas, and Alexander McLane, and his great-grandchildren Nolan, Makenzie, and Adrian. He was also the cherished son of the late Harry and Nellie Karas and dear brother of the late Marilyn (Karas Finn) Mezoff. He will be missed by many, including nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, friends, and neighbors who knew and loved him.

Due to the current Covid health crisis, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Martin’s memory may be made to the Musicians Foundation at www.musiciansfoundation.org/donate or sent to Musicians Foundation, 875 Sixth Ave. Suite 2303, New York, NY 10001.