Martin "Marty" George Collins

Family and friends bid farewell to Marty Collins, a fair and honest man. He was a lifelong artist and accomplished cinematographer. Marty Collins passed away peacefully at his home, with his wife and dogs at his side, following a lengthy illness. Born in Oakland, California, he was 74 years old. Marty was a longtime resident of the Silicon Valley, and it was there that he made his mark as one of the most respected names in northern California’s cinema arts industry. He began his career as Broadcast Operations Manager with the Hewlett Packard Television Network from 1974 to 1983; later, Marty operated Darnell-Collins Productions in the mid-eighties, and owned and operated Starlite Studios from 1983 to 1996; and from 1996 to 2000, he was Vice President of Broadcast Operations with San Jose PBS television station KTEH-TV. Most recently Marty was the founder and C.E.O of The Digital Media Factory on Santa Cruz’s Westside from 2003 -2013. Marty’s accomplishments included numerous creative projects with friends and budding cinema artists complete. His love for people and his insistence on seeing the best in everyone, brought out the best in all of us. Music was enormously important to Marty, bringing him and those near him great joy. Prior to his illness, singing and playing guitar with his best friend, Mitch Sakolsky in their group, “Brothers from Another Mother” were some of the most cherished times of his life. Marty was a lifelong surfer and a member of the Santa Cruz Surf Preservation Society. The Ocean is still where all who loved Marty go to feel closest to him. He loved his wife and children most of all. Precious time shared with them in his final days, and holding them in his heart as he passed, will ultimately be his message of peace to them, and that all is well. Marty is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia “Ginny” Mitchell of Santa Cruz, his children: Richard Duarte, Christine Sheppard, and Marty Collins Jr.; his eight grandchildren: Jordan, Kaelyn, Savannah, Ashley, Haley, Marisa, Shannon, Brittanie, and Austen. He also leaves extended family, friends and a loving supportive community. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Danielle Jean Collins, and his brother, Richard Evan Collins. The family wishes to express their deep thanks to Dr. Laurencin and Staff, Reverend Deborah Johnson, Hospice of Santa Cruz County and Marty’s many friends, family and community for their powerful support. Marty's life will resonate in song and celebration beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Inner Light Ministries (5630 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 95073.) A paddle out to honor Marty, will be held on Sunday May 8, at Mitchell's Cove, with everyone meeting at 3 pm and the paddle out beginning at 4 pm. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to share your thoughts and reflections. One of Marty’s final wishes was that any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to Inner Light Ministries in Soquel, or to the Santa Cruz Surf Preservation Society.