Obituary for Michael Martin
“Okay, life moves on and so must I”. One of the many quotes from Michael David Martin, born March 30, 1950, and left home base for one final trip on November 1, 2019.
Mike was born in Québec City and lived the first 16 months in the LaCreach orphanage system. Adopted by his parents Louis Martin and Patricia Smyth Martin in 1952, Mike was raised in St Leonard, NB, where he grew up amongst some very loving family members. Aunt Dora (Merritt Island Florida), Aunt Esther (Toronto) and one of his many cousins, Linda Smyth.
Mike adored working with children and spent the last 55 years passing on his love and knowledge to his Navy League cadets and his students from teaching/ guidance counsellor work in Quispamsis Rothesay area. His education included a BA in History, MA in Education and his Psy.D in Educational Counselling.
Mike fell in love immediately after meeting his wife, Betty Brown Martin in 2003 on an internet dating site. She fell in love with that smile and laugh and he with her adeptness in spilling food on her front and surviving the embarrassment during that first date.
In addition to his wife, Mike will continue to be loved by his amazing children, Laura Ann Galbraith and her partner Mark Sharp of Guelph, ON, and Luke Martin and his partner, David Morrison of Ajax, ON. Of special mention are Mike’s granddaughters, Darah and Kaylah Galbraith who he loved with all his being. Also, among Mike’s cherished and beloved family are his step-grandchildren, Bright and Lindsay Rose, and parents, Jessica (Mike’s step-daughter) and Darren Rose (Moncton). Mike will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law David Brown and wife Therese Rousseau Brown and sister-in-law Carol Patterson, all of Fredericton.
Mike’s greatest joy in life other than family and friends was gardening, fishing and painting. Mike never mastered corn growing but that never stopped him from trying. He never mastered fishing but loved to go and drive all day looking for the best fishing hole around. Sometimes he would even come home with something resembling a fish.
Mike did, however, master being one amazing, loving husband, partner and friend. He loved his audience and could speak for hours on any subject, much like most teachers. He had such a happy and charming smile and the laugh to go with.
This is what he would want to share with us left to cherish his memory: “Please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away). Today I am happy and I am dancing. Probably naked. If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies or maybe in the corn fields. You know I’ll be there in one form or another. So, in the end, remember… do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling.”
Everyone who remembers Mike is asked to celebrate life in their own way. Raising a glass of your favourite drink in Mike’s memory would be quite appropriate. He preferred rum and coke, by the way.
Special thanks go out to our wonderful neighbours, Travis Foster and Tracie Ouellette who have been and continue to be such amazing support. Couldn’t have done it without them. Also, to my family, Carol, Dave and Therese, my niece Michele Rankin. Thanks to the nurses and doctors in Palliative Care on 3E. Extra special thanks for Hospice House staff and director, a dear friend, Dr. Bea Sainz.
Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 4 will hold a tribute service beginning at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dunstan's Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice House, such an amazing platform to the next phase of life. Online condolences can be made at www.mcadamsfh.com
Mike was born in Québec City and lived the first 16 months in the LaCreach orphanage system. Adopted by his parents Louis Martin and Patricia Smyth Martin in 1952, Mike was raised in St Leonard, NB, where he grew up amongst some very loving family members. Aunt Dora (Merritt Island Florida), Aunt Esther (Toronto) and one of his many cousins, Linda Smyth.
Mike adored working with children and spent the last 55 years passing on his love and knowledge to his Navy League cadets and his students from teaching/ guidance counsellor work in Quispamsis Rothesay area. His education included a BA in History, MA in Education and his Psy.D in Educational Counselling.
Mike fell in love immediately after meeting his wife, Betty Brown Martin in 2003 on an internet dating site. She fell in love with that smile and laugh and he with her adeptness in spilling food on her front and surviving the embarrassment during that first date.
In addition to his wife, Mike will continue to be loved by his amazing children, Laura Ann Galbraith and her partner Mark Sharp of Guelph, ON, and Luke Martin and his partner, David Morrison of Ajax, ON. Of special mention are Mike’s granddaughters, Darah and Kaylah Galbraith who he loved with all his being. Also, among Mike’s cherished and beloved family are his step-grandchildren, Bright and Lindsay Rose, and parents, Jessica (Mike’s step-daughter) and Darren Rose (Moncton). Mike will be sadly missed by his brother-in-law David Brown and wife Therese Rousseau Brown and sister-in-law Carol Patterson, all of Fredericton.
Mike’s greatest joy in life other than family and friends was gardening, fishing and painting. Mike never mastered corn growing but that never stopped him from trying. He never mastered fishing but loved to go and drive all day looking for the best fishing hole around. Sometimes he would even come home with something resembling a fish.
Mike did, however, master being one amazing, loving husband, partner and friend. He loved his audience and could speak for hours on any subject, much like most teachers. He had such a happy and charming smile and the laugh to go with.
This is what he would want to share with us left to cherish his memory: “Please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away). Today I am happy and I am dancing. Probably naked. If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies or maybe in the corn fields. You know I’ll be there in one form or another. So, in the end, remember… do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling.”
Everyone who remembers Mike is asked to celebrate life in their own way. Raising a glass of your favourite drink in Mike’s memory would be quite appropriate. He preferred rum and coke, by the way.
Special thanks go out to our wonderful neighbours, Travis Foster and Tracie Ouellette who have been and continue to be such amazing support. Couldn’t have done it without them. Also, to my family, Carol, Dave and Therese, my niece Michele Rankin. Thanks to the nurses and doctors in Palliative Care on 3E. Extra special thanks for Hospice House staff and director, a dear friend, Dr. Bea Sainz.
Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 5, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 4 will hold a tribute service beginning at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dunstan's Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice House, such an amazing platform to the next phase of life. Online condolences can be made at www.mcadamsfh.com