Marty , as most knew him , was a passionate , intelligent , and kind soul . He co-founded Life Media Group in 2013 with his business partner and friend Robert Arioldi to write the two local papers focusing on good news rather than what is typically published in mainstream media . The two have built a legacy of great writing and reporting on local news and events , and their publications have become a dependable source for reliable , thoughtful coverage of the communities they serve .

Marty attended Gavilan College where he served as the managing editor then associate editor of the community college newspaper The Rambler . After graduating Gavilan College , Marty attended San Jose State , majoring in journalism , where he wrote for the Spartan Daily .

Following college , Marty co-authored the book Clean Energy Nation : Freeing America from the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels with Congressman Jerry McNerney while pursuing a career in journalism that included writing for the Gilroy Dispatch , Morgan Hill Times , and the Los Gatos Weekly-Times .

In 2020 , Marty wrote Vision-2020 : Be a Hero for Humanity and followed up with Humanity : A Vision 2020 Novel in 2021 . Earlier this year , he published The Path to Peace : A Vision-2020 Plan to Unite Humanity . ( all available on Amazon at : Amazon . com / stores / Marty-Cheek ). These books provided a window into the soul of a passionate if not hopeless romantic and helped to convey Marty ’ s optimistic and strongly held belief that global peace is attainable by 2040 — a belief that even close friends struggled to comprehend . In 2022 he told the Morgan Hill Times “ It ’ s ambitious , it ’ s audacious , it ’ s also 100 % doable .”

If Marty had lofty dreams , he did his best to live a life toward achieving those dreams every day . He was a kind and caring individual , as many stories from friends and acquaintances would highlight . He was concerned with the well-being of the people in his community and mentored youth interested in pursuing journalism paths to higher learning . He and Arioldi supported many nonprofit groups by volunteering and giving them space and thoughtful coverage in their publications .

Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce CEO Nick Gaich stated , “ Marty Cheek was a treasured part of this community . As publisher of Morgan Hill Life , he did so much for this city ; through his paper , volunteerism , and passion for a better Morgan Hill , Marty spread goodness wherever he went .”

Marty was the Chamber ’ s Man of the Year in 2011 . Morgan Hill Life was awarded Small Business of the Year in 2019 . He was the recipient of the Golden Quill Award by the California School Boards Association the same year . The award is presented in recognition of fair , insightful and accurate reporting on public school news by the media . MHUSD Superintendent Steve Betando said , " Marty Cheek and Morgan Hill Life have profoundly influenced our lives , young and old ”

His self-proclaimed “ Moonshot ” for peace Op-Ed earlier this year in his Life publications ( link : Moonshot ) was inspired by JFK ’ s 1961 proclamation “ We choose to go to the moon .” In his piece , Marty states , “ Vision-2020 makes an even greater proclamation : We choose to create peace on our planet .” This can be achieved by Christmas Day 2040 , he wrote .

Marty reminded me of one more thing : don ’ t wait to tell someone how much you appreciate and value them . Seeing him recently , I planned to ask him to coffee — to catch up and thank him for his encouragement and graciousness he has shown us in recent years . One thing led to another , weeks passed , and I didn ’ t ask . The coffee date never happened , and never will .

Gaich perfectly offered , “ Thank you for all you did in this life Marty . Your legacy will live on in those who knew and loved you .”

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