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Kenneth Martin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Martin
Emily Ladd Margiasso
July 22, 2008
I was so sad to hear about Ken's passing. I worked for him for about 10 years which I remember fondly. His family is in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time.
Betty & Doug Stephenson
July 21, 2008
Janie and family,
Kenny meant a lot to us and his passing leaves an empty spot in our hearts. We will always remember the Strawberry Festival and Kenny sleeping through the concerts. Also all the good times we had together.
Our prayers are with you, Janie and with your family.
Robert and Dolores Spencer
July 21, 2008
we are so very sorry for your loss. we have known Ken for so many years and had our fun with the Goodyear Blimp. What a wonderful man he was and will be truely missed. Our prayers are with the family. Bob and Dolores Spencer Colonie NY
Brett Martin
July 20, 2008
It was difficult to capture into words the man that is my father but here was my attempt as read at his funeral...
I would like to thank you all for coming to support the family and honor my father. I know there is a lot of sadness in this room over my father's death but this day is really about celebrating my father's life. My father led an extraordinary life in his 66 years on this Earth, living half of them on Schumann Road.
My Dad was an intelligent, sensitive and caring man who was determined, above all else, to succeed at touching as many lives as he could. The number of people in this church and at the wake yesterday is a testament to his success. Whether it was through his many civic activities or his passion for his business and hobbies, he always strived to give of himself. He was quite simply, the most generous person I know.
He was a coach, teammate, midshipman, colleague, teacher, salesman, boss, politician, neighbor and friend. He was a husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, godfather, stepfather, father-in-law , father and grandfather. He was an especially wonderful grandfather.
He attended the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He got involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He was one of the original coaches of the Pop Warner football league in Lansingburgh. He was one of the founders and former president of the Tri-State hockey league and the Troy Amateur Hockey Association. He coached when I played little league.
He donated his time and talents to Kiwanis, the Sand Lake Historical Society, the Bicentennial committee and the Glass Lake Association. He was very proud of his Town Councilman duties, helping to bring cable TV to the Sand Lake community . He served as President of the New York State Trottingbred Association. He fulfilled his dream of becoming professionally licensed to drive Standardbreds at Saratoga. What made it even more impressive is that he accomplished this feat after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. And of course, many of you know him from the insurance business he built and ran for 25 years until he sold it last October.
As most of you also know, he loved animals. The list of animals that he owned at one time or another includes horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, birds, ducks, geese, rabbits, chickens, a ferret, hamsters, cats, monkeys (yes, monkeys) and his beloved dogs that traveled with him wherever he went, or so it seemed.
I would now like to share some of my fondest memories of my father.
? I remember how cool it was to be the only kid in first grade whose Dad brought a monkey to show and tell.
? I remember traveling home from one of my Dad's hockey games in North Adams when the team stopped in a tavern to wait out a snow storm and celebrate one of their many victories. I was only a small boy but I remember him entertaining the whole place singing and playing the organ.
? I remember my Dad making sure our family was aware of our heritage. Our family's history in Averill Park goes back 8 generations to Ebenezer Martin who leased farm land from the Van Rensselaer's and who was the town constable in the town of Nassau.
? I remember my Dad scaring the neighborhood kids every year when he dressed up as Dracula and bounced a rubber bat up and down on an elastic string with his hand. He continued to do this even after his own children had grown out of trick or treating.
? I remember my Dad coming home after a date one night to find me sitting on the couch with a broken ankle I received while skating on Glass Lake and telling me how sorry he was that he wasn't there for me when I needed him.
? I remember my Dad piling all of our friends into his truck to go to the Hollywood drive-In. He made it look good by putting a couple of kids in the cab of the truck while the majority of us hid under the raised mattress in the truck bed. I think he might have gotten a 10 for the price of 3 deal on that one.
? I remember when our barn burned to the ground, completely decimating our pony racing stable and my Dad turning to me and asking my opinion what we should do next. I told him we should rebuild. Then he went on to build the top Trottingbred stable on the east coast.
? I remember when my Dad and I took turns hitting each other over the head with rolled up waiting room magazines in my ear doctor's office, making sure the lady seated across from us remained completely unaware of our shenanigans. I can't help but think that she must have heard the sound of muffled laughter in between her repeated stares.
? I remember my Dad holding court just this past Easter at my mother-in-law's dining room table, struggling, but still recalling the finest details of stories from year's past, all the while holding everyone's attention until laughter erupted when he finally finished.
? I remember my Dad beaming with pride telling me the story of when his father stood up to donate the fire bugle to the town of Averill Park that had been in our family for generations.
? and in perhaps his finest moment, I remember my Dad speaking at my grandfather's funeral, telling us stories about his father like only he could. He had us laughing and crying and at the end, applauding.
The next time you drive by the Ken Martin Insurance sign in West Sand Lake or for that matter the next time you think of my Dad, please remember your fondest memories of him.
Please keep my father alive in your hearts as I know I will in mine.
I would like to leave you with a quote my father gave to me many years ago. It is by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
• To laugh often and love much
• To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children
• To earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends
• To appreciate beauty
• To find the best in others
• To give of one's self
• To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition
• To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation
• To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived
THIS is to have succeeded
and THIS is the man I am proud and honored to call my father
Kim and Butch Fallon
July 18, 2008
Our prayers are with the friends and family. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Keep the memories strong.
Bob, Carol, and girls Fleming
July 18, 2008
So many memories, so many good times.....
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time.
Mary-Beth Heisner
July 18, 2008
Kenny was a friend of my husband and me during his involvement with the ponies. He was a great administrator and leader. I am deeply saddened knowing he is gone. This is a very sad ending to for such an intelligent man. I hope and pray that his family can be uplifted by the many memories they have of him. Janie and to all his family we are praying for you all…
Toby OBryan
July 18, 2008
Janie & Jackie
Sorry to here of your loss of Kenny all our thoughtts and prayers are with you from Delaware
Theresa Atchinson
July 18, 2008
I will miss Ken so very much. For years he help me with all of my personal and business insurance. He always had a smile on his face and a little dog in his lap. When I would see him out, he was always quick to greet me with a big hug. It is very hard for me to realize that he is gone. He will be missed by many in the community as well as me.
Theresa (Glaude) Atchinson
Kim-Paul Zimmerman
July 17, 2008
Dear Denise and Family.Iam very sorry to hear about Ken.You all are in my thoughts and prayers.Kim Paul Zimmerman
jason lebo
July 17, 2008
Ken you will be greatly missed. even though we lost contact and I haven't seen you and Janie for a few years, I never forgot you or all the times you made us all laugh. Most of the time you didn't do it on purpose, but that was you!! I just want to send my condolences to your family.
Ed Hissong
July 17, 2008
Janie and Jackie,
I enjoyed the many hours with Kenny at the ITPA board meetings and with all of you at the Trottingbred races and sales.
You have my sympathy.
Bill Martin
July 17, 2008
Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts about Ken. We all will miss him. He was one of a kind.
Brett and Bill Martin
Pasco Trotting & Pacing Assc.
July 17, 2008
For our friend & former racing partner,
May you rest in peace and may the Lord bring peace and comfort to your family. Hope you are racing in that big track in the sky....
Marietta Mitchell
July 17, 2008
My dear friend is gone and I will miss him greatly. Ken was a friend since high school, in my first wedding and is godfather to my son, John. We just had lunch together and relived so many super memories from days gone by. I am at a loss right now and can't believe he is gone. I will pray for his family to remember all of the fun times and laughs that he brought to all of us.
Mike Kruse
July 17, 2008
Mrs. Martin, Bob Billy and family
Whenever I think of Ken and our past together it always brings a smile to my face. That will never change. Our trips to play hockey together were and always will be the greatest of memories. Our days in Speigletown as kids are second to none. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your friend
Pam Ackner-O'Brien
July 17, 2008
Dear Brett and Val,
I have many memories of your Dad while we were growing up. He was so cool and let us hang out at your house ALL the time.
I know the last few years had been hard on him and you guys too. I hope he has found peace at last.
Carole Quinn
July 17, 2008
Janie, Valerie, and Bret, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Ken is at peace now with God.
Carole Quinn
Steve Wicks
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