John “Jack” M. Martin

John “Jack” M. Martin

June 16, 1927 ~ September 16, 2020

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With sorrow in our hearts, the family of John “Jack” M. Martin, 93, announces his passing on September 16, 2020 in Vero Beach, FL after a valiant fight following a short hospitalization.

We have lost our rock.  Jack was devoted to his wife and family.  He provided us with the support, strength, advice, moral compass and humor we each needed to flourish in the good times, weather the bad times, grow ever stronger as a family, and always, always know that we were loved.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of nearly 69 years, Mary “Jean” (Buehler); sons Michael (Jennifer) of Vienna, VA and Kenny (Barbarann) of Knoxville, TN; and daughters Elaine Tekerian (Armen) of Ramsey, NJ and Kathy Martin of Vero Beach, FL.  He was the proud grandfather “Pop Pop” of Jeffrey (Christine Bolon) and Timothy (Lisa Weckstein) Martin; Joseph, Alexander, and Daniel Tekerian; and Shane, Reagan, and Brynn Martin.  He was thrilled at the birth of his first great-grandchild, Tim and Lisa’s son Edward Martin, a year ago.  Jack is also survived by his younger sister, Eileen Glamp of Columbia, SC.  His parents, Florence and John Martin, and his younger brother, James Martin, all of Pittsburgh, PA, pre-deceased him.

Jack was born on June 16, 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA, where he grew up.  After high school, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII and, after his discharge in 1947, in the Army Reserves.  In 1951 he graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.  Despite Jean growing up only three miles from him in Pittsburgh and their families knowing one another, it wasn’t until 1948 that Jack met her at a church dance.   After a three-year courtship, they married in 1951.   In that same year Jack began a rewarding 34-year management career with United Parcel Service which included a 1959 relocation from Pittsburgh to New York City.  At that time, they settled into the New Jersey suburb of Dumont, where he and Jean raised their four children.  During his career, Jack travelled the U.S. extensively, but still managed to participate in activities at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, including the choir, and to support family members with their school, social, and athletic activities.

Jack was fortunate to take early retirement in 1986 and he and Jean relocated to Tobyhanna, PA where they attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church and were members of the Pocono Farms Country Club.  For over twenty-five years, they also spent some of the winter months on their favorite island, Barbados, where they developed many wonderful, lasting friendships.  In 1998, he and Jean bought their house in the Bent Pine Golf Club community in Vero Beach, FL where they enjoyed many fun years as golf, and later, social members. During that time they were parishioners of St. Helen Catholic Church.  In 2011, they quit the ‘snowbird’ life to live in Vero Beach full time.  In 2017, they relocated to the Indian River Estates ACTS retirement community in Vero and became parishioners of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.  Over the years, they enjoyed and generously supported the theater, symphony, art museum and a variety of charitable causes in Vero Beach.

Jack enjoyed playing tennis and then golf in his retirement years.   Until recently, he went to the gym twice a week and prided himself on being able, at 92, to do a 2-minute plank.  He was an avid reader and book collector, particularly of military history, and always had a book close by.  He loved words and had editorial responsibilities for a company newsletter at an early point in his career, one of many occasions when he put his writing skills to work.  He was an expert at crossword puzzles.  In retirement, he and Jean enjoyed traveling the U.S. and the world and made it a point to pass on the travel bug to their grandchildren by taking them to Alaska and Europe.  In 2011, Jack took all the Martin men on a very memorable military history trip to Europe.  We all have wonderful memories of our annual summer family get togethers in upstate NY as well.

Jack was a strong but gentle man with a deep voice that he famously used to soothe even the fussiest of his young grandchildren.  He was a good listener.  He was kind and generous in his own unassuming way, always looking to provide support while ducking any associated fanfare or accolades.   He was a relatively private person, but he treasured the friendships he had throughout the course of his life.

A Catholic funeral mass and interment will take place in his beloved Pittsburgh once the COVID virus has passed and we can safely gather together to celebrate Jack’s wonderful life and legacy.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation (www.ClevelandClinicIRFoundation.org) or to the ACTS Legacy Foundation, 2250 Indian Creek Blvd West, Vero Beach FL  32966 with memo “For Samaritan Fund in Memory of John “Jack” Martin.”

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL.


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Condolence

Susan Friesell - Friend

September 25, 2020, 5:45 pm

Dear Jean, Our condolences to you and your family on Jack’s death. As fellow “Pittsburghers” we share his love of our wonderful town. May peace be with you as you remember the wonderful life Jack shared with you and his family and friends. Sincerely, Susan and Bill Friesell

Elizabeth Smith - Friend

September 27, 2020, 9:54 pm

Dear Jean. My heart goes out to you at this time. Rejoice for the blessed life you have had with Jack. May the Lord give you peace. Also from a fellow Pittsburgher. Sincerely. Liz Smith

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