Title
Honoring the life and legacy of Martin “Marty” Weinberg, attorney and former City Solicitor, celebrating his lifetime commitment to the City of Philadelphia and extending the deepest condolences to his family and friends upon his passing
Body
WHEREAS, Martin “Marty” Weinberg was born in Philadelphia on March 27, 1937, and grew up at Ninth and Shunk Streets in South Philadelphia, the youngest of three sons of Emanuel Weinberg, who served the people of Philadelphia as a member of City Council from 1957 to 1966; and
WHEREAS, As a boy, Marty often accompanied his father to political meetings, rallies, and the polls on Election Day, beginning a lifelong devotion to public service and to the political life of the City; and
WHEREAS, Marty Weinberg graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1955, where he played second base and started a legendary triple play that helped clinch the 1954 City baseball championship, and served as the all-star captain of the 1954-55 basketball team, competing against future Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain; and
WHEREAS, Marty attended Drexel on a basketball scholarship, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1958, and was later inducted into the Drexel Alumni Hall of Fame in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Marty Weinberg earned his law degree from Temple University in 1961 and went on to serve four years as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and six years as an associate professor of law at Drexel; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Marty joined the mayoral campaign of fellow South Philadelphian Frank Rizzo as deputy campaign manager, and later served as campaign manager and trusted confidant for former Mayor Frank Rizzo’s 1975, 1983, and 1991 campaigns; and
WHEREAS, As City Solicitor from 1972 to 1974, Marty Weinberg negotiated the City’s labor contracts, litigated a ban on the sale of horse meat, reduced the number of city consultants, contested Tinicum Township over tax revenue from Philadelphia International Airport, and handled many other difficult legal and political matters on behalf of the City; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Marty joined the law firm of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, where he practiced administrative and regulatory law, became known for his gift for bringing people together, and ultimately served as chair of the firm; and
WHEREAS, Marty Weinberg served as Chair of the Democratic City Committee from 1976 to 1980, served for many years as counsel to the Philadelphia Gas Works, and was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge to the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Over six decades, Marty Weinberg advised candidates of both the Democratic and Republican parties, earning a reputation as one of Philadelphia’s most skilled political strategists, and was widely admired for his honesty, his humor, and his talent as a storyteller; and
WHEREAS, Marty was a devoted husband to his wife, Martha; a loving and protective father to his daughter, Barbara, and his son, Bernard; a proud grandfather and great-grandfather;
WHEREAS, Marty Weinberg passed away on October 6, 2026, at the age of eighty-nine, leaving behind a legacy of public service, political leadership, and mentorship that will long be remembered throughout the City he loved; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, hereby honors the life and legacy of Martin “Marty” Weinberg, attorney and former City Solicitor, and extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Martha; his children, Barbara and Bernard; his daughter-in-law, Jaimie; his two grandsons and six great-grandchildren; and all who mourn his passing.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Martin “Marty” Weinberg as a sincere expression of City Council’s sympathy and its gratitude for his many contributions to the City of Philadelphia.
End