Remembering Mike Martini

Two Palisadians Share Their Perspective and Relationship

Following the death of longtime Palisadian Dr. Mike Martini this month, two community members shared stories of their relationships with him.

Jonathan Macht

I had the honor of getting to know renowned pediatrician Dr. Martini through my family, the Palisades Optimist Club and American Legion.

Writing a memorial about such an influential community leader who embodies the virtues of service, selflessness and compassion is not an easy task. But I felt compelled to do so in order to communicate the vital lessons we as community members can learn from such a humble, caring and wise individual.

Martini dedicated the entirety of his life to the principle of service. Following a career in the Navy, in which he served in World War II and in Korea during the Korean War, he moved with his wife to the Palisades in 1954, set up shop in the Village at the corner of Antioch Street and Via De La Paz, and went on to serve as a pediatrician for thousands of families for over 40 years.

In addition to raising six children, motivated by his Catholic faith, Martini always believed in the crucial importance of helping at-risk youth in the Greater Los Angeles area through the variety of organizations he was a part of, including Corpus Christi Catholic Church, the YMCA, the American Legion and the Optimist Club.

In addition to being recognized for his service in the community, Martini believed in the importance of small gestures, such as “treating thy neighbor as thyself,” in order for us to preserve the longstanding warm and endearing culture of our community.

One conscious act of kindness Martini mentioned to me before he passed is the act of engaging with fellow community members when out in public. Rather than being glued to our cell phones reading that day’s incendiary headline, each of us should make a more conscious effort to simply smile, say “hello” and ask someone how they are doing.

When we’re trudging along through our days running errands at Gelson’s or Erewhon, picking up our children from school, or walking our dog by the bluffs, making a conscious effort to engage with others face-to-face not only lifts up others, but also has proven therapeutic benefits to our own mental health.

By making a more conscious effort to engage with our fellow neighbors through daily interactions and through our community’s longstanding local organizations, we can preserve the uniquely American social fabric that we all cherish.

Dr. Martini represented these ideals as well as well as anyone. He would compel all of us to do a little more each day to be kinder, gentler, more compassionate and empathetic.

Norm Serra

I am Norm Serra, Dr. Mike Martini’s next-door neighbor and friend for 65 years.

In the planning for Martini’s 95th birthday party, his son, Reverend Dick Martini, asked me if I would say a few words. He thought that since we had lived side by side for so many years, I might have some funny stories.

Well, I’m sorry, but saints aren’t funny. What can one say about someone who is the perfect neighbor, the perfect citizen, a friend and helper to everyone, who restores health to children and is the most loved and respected man in the community?

When we moved into the Palisades 65 years ago with three little kids and one on the way, our block was already full of families with kids. When ours had the usual health problems, colds and flu, all the neighbors recommended Dr. Martini.

We called him. He came to our house, made several visits, cured our kids and charged us practically nothing. We wondered how the Palisades was so lucky as to have a pediatrician who made house calls and also wondered how he made a living when he charged so little.

A few years later, the Martinis bought the house next to us. How lucky can you get? They were perfect neighbors—Mike, Elaine, the kids—wonderful and special people.

Though Mike was constantly involved with patients, he was always available to everyone, not just for doctoring but for whatever had to be done.

The only complaint I ever had with him is that in our 30 years of playing doubles tennis on Tuesday nights, I could never win when he was on the other side. When we were partners, things went much better.

Mike’s biggest problem, and perhaps his greatest virtue, is that he could never refuse a request for help. With his unbelievable drive, he has given years of his time and energy to the church, the American Legion, the Optimists, running blood drives, delivering Meals on Wheels and, over the last several years, bringing communion to the sick at UCLA Hospital.

Mike and I were born in the same hospital just three months apart. It was the old Angelus Hospital in East LA. It is no longer there, torn down many years ago. We believed we were delivered by the same obstetrician. Mike was three months older than I, but with the amount of energy he displayed, you would have thought he was 20 years younger.

Since we grew up in different parts of LA and went to different Catholic high schools, we had never met until we moved here. I wish I had known him sooner but I am very grateful for the 65 years of his presence in our lives, for his special friendship, and for having wonderful kids who have formed deep and lasting friendships with my own.

Incidentally, the 95th birthday party was canceled because of COVID, but on his 95th birthday, I gave him a photo of the Angelus Hospital, obtained from the USC archives. I believe it should go down in history as the place where Michael Mario Martini was born.