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svair · Post by **svair** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:22 pm

Just found out Steve Massarsky passed away today...

He was 59 years old..

x-omatic · Post by **x-omatic** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:26 pm

Very sad.

myron · Post by **myron** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:27 pm

svair wrote:Just found out Steve Massarsky passed away today...

He was 59 years old..

svair · Post by **svair** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:36 pm

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Steven J. Massarsky, an attorney and businessman who was a mentor to many and always generous when it came to sharing knowledge and guiding others to follow their dreams, died October 5, 2007 at 12:26 p.m. in Manhattan.

The cause was complications related to cancer.

Steven Massarsky was founder and CEO of the Business Incubation Group Inc. The Business Incubation Group primarily focused on incubating companies that market and sell consumer products and services
In 1989, Massarsky co-founded Voyager Communications Inc. (Valiant Comics), which grew into the third largest comic book publisher in the U.S. Voyager was voted "publisher of the year" by the comic book retail industry. The company was sold to Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ) where Massarsky remained as President and Publisher of the Acclaim Comics division.

Earlier in his career, Massarsky operated an entertainment law practice. His clientele included Nintendo, The Wailers, Cabbage Patch Dolls, the Psychedelic Furs, Collins Management, Aerosmith, Tom Chapin and Willie Mays. Prior to his law practice, Massarsky owned and operated an artist management company handling artists such as The Allman Brothers Band and The Wailers, and was responsible for launching the career of Cyndi Lauper.

Massarsky held an A.B. in political science from Brown University and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law. He is a founding board member of The Brown University Entrepreneurship Program, served on the boards of Shop Well With You and BAM Entertainment. He was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and graduate schools. Massarsky was a member of the California and New York Bar Associations and the Brown University Sports Foundation. He was a member of the Weehawken, N.J. Hall of Fame.

Mr. Massarsky, son of the late Dr. Asher Massarsky is survived by his mother, Yetta Massarsky, of Fort Lee New Jersey; sisters Ellen M. Gertler and Marilyn Judovin; brothers-in-law Dr. Richard Gertler and David Judovin; five nieces, a nephew and seven great nieces and nephews and his loving fiancee Pui King Hui.

Funeral services will take place on Sunday October 7 at 1pm at the Gutterman-Musicant 402 Park Avenue in Hackensack, NJ. He will be buried at the Riverside Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the James F. Holland Research Fund c/o Dr. James Holland Mount Sinai Hospital, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box 1129 New York, NY 10029

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Massarsky Family

worldsbestcomics · Post by **worldsbestcomics** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:38 pm

Holy cow. Somebody already updated Wikipedia.

betterthanezra · Post by **betterthanezra** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:39 pm

Wow thats very sad...

-Brian

sorah · Post by **sorah** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:49 pm

Since Bob no longer has an active account on these boards, he asked me to make a statement on his behalf:

"I'm deeply saddened by the death of my former business partner and friend, Steven J. Massarsky. Although he wasn't the most beloved figure in the history of comics, his contributions and innovations to the industry were many in number. 'Junior,' as I referred to him, had a softer side that few people ever saw or got to appreciate. I have many fond memories of traveling with Steve on business, the long, hard hours we put in struggling to make our company profitable, and the excitement that we shared as VALIANT began to show signs of success. I had enormous respect for Steve's sharp, business acumen, and he was never hesitant to acknowledge my creative input. Think of him what you will, but at the end of the day, my memories of 'Junior' will be fond ones." - Bob Layton

Those of you who'd like to make a statement about Steve's passing, feel free to email Bob at: bob.layton@boblayton.com. Bob plans to publish a piece about Steve on his website in November and would like to include as many comments from VALIANT fans as possible.

--Sorah Suhng

magnusr · Post by **magnusr** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:56 am

svair wrote:Just found out Steve Massarsky passed away today...

He was 59 years old..

This is not a good day.

/Magnus

cobra_commander · Post by **cobra_commander** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:37 am

yeah thats very sad, wasnt that old either

bernardchang · Post by **bernardchang** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:21 am

i'm very saddened by the news about steve. he was both a mentor and role model at valiant. steve was an innovator and pioneer and brought a high level of professionalism to the comic book industry. til this day, i still repeat many of the stories and lessons he would tell us, all words of wisdom. i am proud to have had steve as a friend.

jedimarley · Post by **jedimarley** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 6:06 am

very sad. my condolences to his family.

J-Scott-R · Post by **J-Scott-R** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:22 am

svair wrote:Just found out Steve Massarsky passed away today...

He was 59 years old..

My condolences to his family, Scott.

*SQUEE* · Post by ***SQUEE*** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:01 am

Very sad.

k_c_collectibles · Post by **k_c_collectibles** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:32 am

Very sad news...

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

Chris

Zero · Post by **Zero** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:38 am

Very sad.

My condolences to the family...

Lightning Strike · Post by **Lightning Strike** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:10 am

svair wrote:Just found out Steve Massarsky passed away today...

He was 59 years old..

Just read this at Newsarama. My prayers go out to his family

cinlach@aol.com · Post by **cinlach@aol.com** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:40 am

heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

sad day.

Cyberstrike · Post by **Cyberstrike** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:07 pm

My condelences to his family.

tarheelmarine · Post by **tarheelmarine** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:17 pm

Cyberstrike wrote:My condelences to his family.

Wow, he was so young.

IMJ · Post by **IMJ** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:58 pm

Steve was one of the pioneers for a product in my hobby that brought me a lot of excitement and entertainment when I was younger. I'm sorry to hear he's gone.

hulk181man · Post by **hulk181man** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:46 pm

greg · Post by **greg** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:51 pm

Just logged in for the first time in a day... very sad news.

Valiant's story cannot be told completely without including Massarsky.
It is sad to have to end that chapter so soon.

The Harbinger · Post by **The Harbinger** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:18 pm

worldsbestcomics · Post by **worldsbestcomics** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:24 pm

I've never met Steve, or most of the Valiant creators, artists & witers for that matter, but I owe him, and them, my thanks for so many hours of enjoyment from the universe they brought to life.

Sean Chen · Post by **Sean Chen** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:36 pm

Its almost a cliche to say that a hardcore business man had a softer kinder private side, but it was absolutely true with Steve. I got to know him as a very personable and generous man. There is no doubt in my mind that he worked tirelessly to do what he felt was in the best interest of the company. This always seemed to be a thankless job. I for one feel grateful to have known him and for providing me with the greatest career beginnings one could ever ask for.

It comes as no surprise that hardly anyone knew he was in failing health that lead up to his passing away. Its just like Steve to bear the brunt of much hardship squarely on his own shoulders. Because of this, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he's gone, but once it sinks in, I will no doubt miss him greatly.

-Sean

ValiantFans.com Board - Since 2004

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