PLSN learned of the passing of Martin “Martee” Nuruddin, Vice President of PRG Orlando on April 14th. Nuruddin, born on February 15, 1954, was 68. He was a 44-year member of IATSE Local One, having been initiated on February 2, 1978. He worked throughout the Broadway jurisdiction and started his career as an apprentice at Vanco in New York. He would move to Florida to open Vanco Orlando.
Nuruddin had impressive expertise with large-scale productions, corporate industrial shows, and theme parks. He was incredibly dedicated to his clients and work family. Vanco was one of the first companies acquired in what would become Production Resource Group (PRG) in 1995. Nuruddin brought his passion and talent to bear for PRG as he had throughout his career. While at PRG played a key role in the opening of Universal Studios in Florida, with PRG’s support of Presidential Debates, traveling Wheel of Fortune shows, State Farm’s corporate events, and he helped bring to life many of Disney’s TV shows.
PRG Founder Jere Harris shared some thoughts on Nuruddin’s passing. “Martee and I started out at the same time, he as an apprentice at Vanco and me at Feller Scenery Studios. He then moved to Florida to open Vanco Orlando, they joined PRG in 1995, and the rest is history. I don’t think there’s a person who could argue his dedication to his clients and work family – he always put everyone else first. Every time I went to give Martee a raise he said, ‘don’t give it to me, give to the people in the shop.’ That was Martee. He was a staple in the industry and truly the essence of our Orlando presence. As someone close to him once described him — he was no angel, but he was a saint. He will be deeply missed.”
He is survived by his sister Kathleen Ressler and her husband Craig, his nephew Luke Ressler, his wife Stephanie, his niece Rachel Laqua and her husband John and great nephews Everett and Austin Ressler and Connor Laqua.
Services will be private.
We at PLSN send our sincere condolences to Nuruddin’s family, friends, and colleagues. Requiescat in Pace, Martee.
