Eight Bells: Henry Marx

Capt. Henry E. Marx, Master Mariner and owner of Landfall Navigation, passed away from pneumonia on June 28, 2018 in Greenwich, CT. He was 77 years.

Henry was born in New York City, to parents Henry and Marguerite Marx and was a graduate of the Lawrenceville School, University of Hartford, and University of Connecticut.

He had a corporate career with Pitney Bowes, Combustion Engineering and the American Gas & Chemical Company before returning to his first love – the sea – acquiring Landfall Navigation, the Marine Navigation and Safety Equipment chandlery in 1982.

Capt. Marx, a life-long mariner, saw service in the U.S. diesel submarine Navy and the Norwegian merchant marine – as well as a 20+ year career delivering and cruising yachts along the East and West Coasts. Capt. Marx was a fixture in the area of marine safety and anyone that attended a Safety at Sea seminar will remember his colorful lectures.

He authored a well-respected navigation video Loran C: A Navigator’s Approach, was a well-respected Navigation and Marine Safety Instructor, served on the Marine Board Nautical Chart Committee, was a member of the Storm Trysail Club and was an advisor to the U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea Committee.

Over the last year Capt. Marx received numerous honors for his contributions to the local and national sailing community.

In November of 2017, he was awarded the prestigious Owen C. Torrey Memorial Trophy by the Storm Trysail Club Board of Directors for his contribution to recreational boating, the Club and the Marine industry – especially with the U.S. Sailing sponsored Safety at Sea Seminar programs.

SoundWaters, the leading environmental education organization on Long Island Sound, honored Capt. Marx this Spring for his past service and as a founding member of the Young Mariners Foundation, creating The Henry Marx Cup, which will be awarded annually to the winner of the final Young Mariners Academy race series.

And finally, he was awarded the Commodore’s Award by the Cruising Club of America for his contributions both as a long-time member as well as his work as a safety educator and advocate.

Throughout his life Capt. Marx was actively involved in the community around him volunteering his time to a variety of local causes. He served on the Boards of the Stamford Y, the Yerwood Center of Stamford, and as co-founder and Chairman of the Stamford Sailing Foundation.

In his younger years he was a hunter-safety instructor for the state of Connecticut and founded the Cos Cob Revolver & Rifle Club’s Junior Marksmanship program.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
• The Stamford Sailing Foundation, 97 West Ocean Drive, Stamford, CT 06902
• The Gettysburg Foundation, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 18325

He is survived by his wife of 37 years Bev Marx; a son Christopher Scott Marx of Wrightsville Beach, NC; a step-son Valentin Sivyakov of Palekh, Russia; his brother Otto and his wife Betty; two sister-in-laws Barbara Parks and Carol Tellez; two nieces Dede Marx, Marla Tellez and three nephews Ed Marx, Gary Parks, David Parks and Mario Tellez; and two grand nieces and two grand nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and a son, Gregory Marx.