Marvin Fishman — a filmmaker, artist, activist, beloved father and grandfather, and lifelong Yankees fan — passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt. He was 88 years old.
Born in Brooklyn to Abraham and Pauline Fishman, Marvin attended Brooklyn College and the University of Chicago Law School before discovering his true passion in journalism and documentary filmmaking. As a cofounder of Newsreel, he used his craft to support the anti-war movement during the Vietnam era. Later, he contributed his talents to Burlington’s sister city project in Nicaragua, producing films that highlighted humanitarian efforts in the midst of the Contra War.
After relocating from New York City to Vermont with his first wife, Laura, with whom he had two sons, Marvin continued his film work while serving as director of media operations at the University of Vermont. There, he embraced emerging classroom technologies to support professors and students. He eventually made his home in Charlotte with his wife, Doreen Kraft. Together, they raised a daughter and shared a rich life filled with family, creativity, travel and adventure.
His passions were vast and deeply held. Marvin loved baseball, classical music, art, gardening and a long-standing poker group with close friends. Marvin’s love of the ocean led him to become an avid sailor and scuba diver. In later years, he took up piano, painting and sculpture, eager to explore new creative outlets. A lifelong vegetarian, he made one notable exception: a Hebrew National hot dog.
Marvin’s bold, progressive spirit was underscored by a lifelong commitment to learning, questioning, creating and imagining the future. Proud of his Jewish heritage, deeply engaged in politics and world affairs, he was endlessly curious about how others lived and viewed the world.
Above all, Marvin loved his family.
He is survived by his wife, Doreen Kraft; his children, Aryeh Fishman, Damian Rose, and Shaina Beckwith (and her husband, Brandon Beckwith); his grandchildren, Ori and Elyse Fishman; his siblings Karen Goldman and Harold Fishman; and his sister-in-law Carol Fishman.
Marvin was laid to rest on July 13, 2026, in a green burial near his cherished home. A celebration of his life will be held in October, with details to be announced.