John Frederick “Fred” Martin January 22, 2019 Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card John Frederick “Fred” Martin, 99 ½ , formerly of Watertown, NY and Port Charlotte, FL, died peacefully at Discovery Commons (formerly Windsor Oaks) of Bradenton on January 22, 2019. “Fred” was born in Watertown, NY on July 31, 1919. He was the youngest of five children born to Frank J. and Mary Amelia Gossman Martin. Fred served as an usher at the dedication of the 1000 Islands Bridge in 1938. His father was a member of the original 1000 Islands Bridge Authority. Mr. Martin graduated from Watertown High School in 1936. He attended the Syracuse University Collegiate Center. He was a Veteran of WWII and retired with the rank of Major after serving 22 years in the US Army Reserves. Mr. Martin married Viola M. Brown on September 30, 1944 at the Post Chapel, Ft. McPherson GA. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in 2017. Mrs. Martin died June 4, 2018 in Bradenton FL. Mr. Martin retired as the manager of the cost accounting department from the NY Air Brake-General Signal after 42 years. He was a Past President (1955-56) of the Northside Improvement League. He was a Past Exalted Ruler (1965-66) and life member of the Watertown BPOElks Lodge #496. He also served as a District Deputy and Vice-President for the NY State Elks Lodge. In Florida he was a member of the Port Charlotte Moose Lodge #2121. After he retired, Vi and Fred traveled extensively. They visited all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Ireland, Africa, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the Holy Land where they renewed their marriage vows at Cana. He is survived by five children: Patricia (Michael B.) O’Driscoll, Bradenton, FL; Frank J. (Bonnie) Martin, Orange Park, FL; Wayne J. Martin, Watertown, NY; Steven F. Martin, North Port, FL and Sally (Steve) Peters, Woodinville, WA. He is survived by 10 grandchildren: Michael, Jr. and James Patrick O’Driscoll, Christie Martin, Gail Martin-Miller, Jessica Martin-Adams, Patrick and Mark Martin, Eric, Brendan and Gwen Peters. He has 2 great-grandchildren, Rebecca Miller and Connor Martin O’Driscoll. He has 12 surviving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and all his siblings: Charles W., Joseph F., Eleanor M. Gilligan and (Mary) Elizabeth Hickey. Mr. Martin was a long time member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Watertown, NY. After moving to Florida in 1988 he was a parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Port Charlotte. Mr. Martin moved with his wife to Bradenton, FL in July 2015. Visitation will be at 9:30 A.M February 7, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 3100 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 with a Mass of Resurrection to follow at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Shawn Roser officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Sarasota National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Foundation, Watertown, NY or The St. Joseph Food Pantry, Bradenton, FL Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel 604 43rd Street West Bradenton, Florida 34209 in charge of arrangements. Condolence may be made to: www.brownandsonsfuneral.com Print Obituary
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Frederick “Fred Martin January 22 2019.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory
Death notice for the town of: Bradenton, state: Florida