N. Harry Martin

N. Harry MARTIN Harry Martin, 95, passed away on March 12. He was born on April 11, 1915, to Harry Martin, Sr. and Merle Hansen Martin of West Seattle. He graduated from West Seattle High School and attended the University of Washington where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In November 1941, he married Jane Ann Wicks of Ballard. Harry and Jane lived in Ballard until 1959 when they moved to Bellevue. In the early 1960's they lived in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and then moved back to Bellevue before retiring to Hood Canal. During Harry's 40-plus year career, he was the top salesman nationally for Olivetti-Underwood, Supervisor for Commercial Spares at Boeing, taught management development and leadership technique classes at Green River College, and retired after 10 years as a partner in Regency Group, a Bellevue commercial real estate company. Harry was active in service organizations all his life, including organizing the NW Model Air Meet at Sand Point NAS in 1955, was a local and national officer of the National Exchange Club, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Executives of Seattle, President of Bellevue's Eastside Tip Club and Commercial and Investment Brokers Assn. Jane and Harry 'retired' in 1986 to Belfair, Washington, on the north shore of Hood Canal, when his real work began. During the last twenty-five years, he was active on the Shoreline Management Advisory Board, Theler Community Center Board, Mason County Hotel-Motel Tax Advisory Board, Mason County Fairgrounds Advisory Board, President of the Economic Development Council, Private Industry Council, and North Mason Chamber, Chairman of the Lower Hood Canal Watershed Committee, Mason County Sheriff's Advisory Council, Sewer Advisory Committee and the Six-year Road Committee. He was the recipient of 1998 North Mason Chamber of Commerce President's Award, the 2003 Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rotarian of the Year in 2004. From 2003-05, Harry served as the Vice Chair and Chair of Seattle's SCORE Chapter 55, and in 2005, Harry received the President's Service Award. Harry was best known in Belfair for helping to start the successful North Mason Chamber fundraiser. In 1986, the Chamber opened its first grilled oyster booth at the Skookem Rotary Oysterfest. It is estimated the Chamber has sold over 240,000 oysters, nicknaming them 'Harry's World Famous Grilled Oysters.' But Harry wasn't done. In 2003, he worked with members of the North Mason Rotary to start 'The Taste of Hood Canal,' an annual Belfair event in downtown in August featuring classic cars, beer and wine tasting, local restaurants' specialties, live music and food booths, including 'Harry's World Famous Grilled Oysters.' Harry was instrumental in bringing a state licensing agency to Belfair which is located in the Chamber of Commerce office. Lt. Governor Brad Owen once referred to Harry as 'Mr. Belfair'. One of Harry's most cherished legacies was donating his father's semi-pro baseball uniform to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2005, Harry visited Cooperstown and was rewarded with a tour of the facility including the vaults which held baseballs' most treasured artifacts. Harry's wife, Jane, passed away in August 2010. He is survived by his daughters, Trudi Scheele (Randy) of Richland, and Janet Ott (Rich) of Mill Creek, and three grandchildren, Sarai Scheele, Kent; Ryan Ott (Cheryl), Lake Stevens, and April Miller (Tony) Lakewood; sister, Marie Riel of Belfair, and nieces Mary Ann Riel, Belfair, and Susan Anderson (John) of San Clemente, and grandniece, Nicole. The family extends sincere thanks to Catholic Community Services and the volunteers of Faith in Action and Mason County Fire District 2 for all their help and support. Special thanks go to Karen Gross, who was Harry's caregiver as well as Jane's. Karen became an invaluable part of the family. Harry couldn't have continued to live at home without her tireless care. In addition, the family thanks neighbors Millie and Jim Braun who gave of their time and care. A memorial service will be held at Belfair Baptist Church on Sunday, April 10, at 1:30 p.m., 23300 N.E. State Route #3, Belfair, WA. Donations may be made in Harry's name to Mary E. Theler Community Center, P.O. Box 1445, Belfair, WA 98528.