Martin Aaron "Marty" Wolfson was a multifaceted artist who used his talents to portray people in the city he loved and passed his skills on to the next generation of budding artists.

Although many baby boomers who grew up watching local TV may remember Mr. Wolfson for his caricatures, cartoons and drawing lessons, he was also a prolific illustrator and publisher.

Mr. Wolfson, of Scott, died Sunday of complications from diabetes. He was 80.

A lifelong area resident, Mr. Wolfson was born in the Hill District and attended Fifth Avenue High School. After graduation, he went on to Carnegie Mellon University, then known as Carnegie Institute of Technology, to study art. His studies were interrupted by World War II, and he served in Europe in the Army Corps of Engineers.

In the early days of commercial TV, Mr. Wolfson was among local pioneers in children's programming, like the late Fred Rogers and the late Josie Carey.

Children of the first TV generation got early exposure to art and learning to draw through Mr. Wolfson's program "Musical Sketch Pad," which aired in the 1950s on the former WDTV (later KDKA). He would don a smock and encourage youngsters to follow his lead as he drew pictures while playing music and telling stories to keep his young audience engaged.

He also worked with Carey.

"He was of that same generation that founded local children's television," said his daughter, Paula. "Pittsburgh was the incubator for it. They were people who brought an educational edge, who were teaching kids about values."

Mr. Wolfson was a man of many talents, including singing, his wife, Irene, recalled.

He was also a founding member of Temple David Congregation in Monroeville, where he also served as cantor.

Mr. Wolfson launched his own company, Wolfson Publishing, where he published, edited and illustrated numerous volumes on a variety of topics, including sports and history.

Among them were "Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh," edited by Jim O'Brien; "How to Watch Sports on TV ... and Enjoy It"; "Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame," written by Chet Smith; and "Pittsburgh, the Story of the City of Champions," which he edited with O'Brien.

"The books he did were his pride and joy," said Paula Wolfson, of Washington, D.C.

O'Brien, author of many books on local sports, met Mr. Wolfson as a guest on Mr. Wolfson's TV show. O'Brien, then in elementary school, recalls Mr. Wolfson asking him three questions, to each of which he responded with a "yeah" -- which got him in trouble with his teachers back at school.

Years later, Mr. Wolfson called him with the idea of working together on a book about sports, to which O'Brien, referring to their first meeting, answered "Yes, yes and yes."

It was the beginning of a long collaboration and association in sports publishing.

"We called it the 'Pittsburgh Proud' series," O'Brien said. "I think that sort of sums up [Mr.] Wolfson. He was always enthused about Pittsburgh.

"He did a lot of illustrations that people prized -- nice portraits of Art Rooney, Honus Wagner, Terry Bradshaw, Rocky Bleier. He had a talent for art and also for inspiring people," O'Brien said, recalling that Mr. Wolfson used to go out to schools and do inspirational talks.

Fittingly, much of his publishing was devoted to local topics.

"His heart was here," said his daughter. "Pittsburgh was his home. He never gave any thought to leaving. He built his career and raised his children here."

He was also an active member of the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by two other children, Marla Wolfson Wilhelm of Crafton and Todd Wolfson of Christiansburg, Va., and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Burton L. Hirsch Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Beth El Nursery School, 1900 Cochran Rd., Pittsburgh 15220, or to the Hebrew Free Loan Association, 4315 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh 15217.