Robert J. “Bob” Martin, age 82, of 25 Circle Street, Saranac Lake, passed away Saturday, September 5, 2015 surrounded by his five children and several other family members at his daughter’s home in Virginia.
Born in Saranac Lake, New York on January 3, 1933, he was the son of Leonard and Amy (Roy) Martin. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Margaret A. “Peggy” Cogan, on December 29, 1953 at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake. She predeceased him on May 17, 2009.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake and had graduated from Saranac Lake High School, where he played football and hockey, in 1953. He was employed by the New York Telephone Company for 36 years until his retirement. He also owned and operated Martin’s Tree Expert Company for 13 years. Bob was a member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Saranac Lake Elks Club BPOE 1508, American Legion, Saranac Lake Golf Club, Crane Lakes Golf Club, and the Saranac Lake Pee Wee Hockey Association where he volunteered as a coach and referee for many years. He had also served as a trustee for St. Bernard's Church, St. Bernard’s Cemetery Committee and was active in C.F.M. (Christian Family Members). He is a veteran of the United States Army serving from 1953 to 1955, and was an avid golfer and fisherman.
He is survived by five children: Kevin Martin and his wife Licia of Newport, NC; Scott Martin and his wife Anne
of Glastonbury, CT; Bob Martin of Durham, NC; Daniel Martin of East Hartford, CT; and one daughter, Michelle Martin-Kersey and her wife Colleen Martin-Kersey of Woodbridge, VA; four grandchildren: John Robert Martin and his wife Laura of Wilmington, NC; Amy Marie Martin of Hawaii; Karlee Cogan Martin of East Hampton, CT; and Cogan Joseph Martin-Kersey of Woodbridge, VA. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Germaine Miller of Saranac Lake and Joyce Petri of Santa Rosa, CA and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Martin of East Hampton, CT. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and three brothers Gilbert, Joseph, and Newel Martin.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Sunday, September 13, 2015 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00AM on Monday September 14, 2015 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Burial will immediately follow at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake.
Family and friends wishing to remember Robert J. “Bob” Martin may make memorial contributions to the Order of Carmelites, St. Bernard’s School, and/or Heartland Hospice of Northern Virginia in care of the funeral home.
Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.