Maurice ‘Marty’ Lacey

Maurice “Marty” Lacey, born on July 16, 1937, in New York, N.Y., passed peacefully at his home in North Myrtle Beach surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. He was born and raised in New York, N.Y., to Maurice and Mary Supple Lacey.

A true patriot, Marty enlisted and proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Honorably discharged, Marty, ever the warrior, joined the ranks of the fire department of New York (FDNY). After battling in the South Bronx during the war years as a member to the Emerald Society and Green Berets of Engine Company 60, he found his home at Rescue 3 “Big Blue” Manhattan/Bronx, N.Y.  Marty suffered a significant line of duty injury and retired in 1985. Not one to slow down, he became an entrepreneur as the proprietor of Shenanigans Bar and Restaurant in Nanuet, N.Y.

Marty and his wife, Cathy, moved to North Myrtle Beach from Rockland County, N.Y., in 1998 where he was an avid golfer. He enjoyed his retirement socializing with his friends at the American Legion Posts in the North Myrtle Beach area and was most recently a member of American Legion Post 503 in Calabash, N.C. Marty, steeped in Irish heritage, was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians – Joseph J. McGarry Division 1. He was also a member of the FDNY Carolina Retirees Association and a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach.

Marty, a devoted husband, is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Catherine Ann Ryan Lacey; son, Michael (wife Susan); daughters, Donna Watt (husband Doug) and Trish Harris (husband Tim); grandchildren, Michael, Brittany (Charlie Smith) and Ryan Lacey (wife Ashley), Dillon (wife Lindsay) and Dustin Watt (Whitney Bryant), Tara, Kate and Kelly Harris; great-grandchildren, Jayla, Kylie, Makenzie and Kennedy Lacey (Ryan) and Avery Watt (Dillon) and Navy Watt (Dustin); and his favorite furry girl, Izzy.

Marty, who always placed others before himself, was loved by many and will be dearly missed by his extended family and many close friends.

A private funeral mass was held and only attended by family on Wednesday, April 8, due to current health and travel restrictions. A memorial service celebrating Marty’s life will be scheduled at a later date.

A guest book is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.