John Alexander MARTIN

MARTIN, John Alexander (Al) July 5, 1928 – October 7, 2017 Al Martin passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Toronto. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Joan Martin (nee MacLean), loving children Scot (Tracey), Cathy (the late Michael Doto) and Susan (Meldan) and eight grandchildren: Alexis, Geoffrey, Eliza, Rachel, Zachary, Trevor, Emily and Gemma (Daniel). He was predeceased by his brother, George and sister, Marion. Al was born in the Toronto Beaches, an area of the city to which he remained closely tied his entire life. He graduated from Malvern High School, attended University of Toronto and the Ontario Teachers College, becoming a teacher at Queen Alexandra Public School, where he met his future wife, a fellow first year teacher. Over the next 20 years he took courses in the evenings and during the summer, eventually completing his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education. Al served as a teacher at Blythwood Public School, a Vice Principal at Winchester Public School and Principal at Brown and Lord Dufferin before finishing his career at Kimberley Public School. Al attracted a loyal following amongst his teaching staff, many of whom requested transfers to follow him as he moved from school to school. However, it is probably as a coach that Al will be best remembered. Al devoted his entire life to coaching - whether hockey at Ted Reeve, fastball at Kew Gardens or hockey, soccer, fastball or track and field at each of the schools where he taught or served as principal. He is remembered to this day for his booming "SHOOT" command from the bench as he implored his players to take a shot on net. Lacking parental influence in his own life, Al set the bar impossibly high as a father to his own children, serving as their teacher, chauffeur, mentor and overall biggest supporter, taking great pride in their accomplishments. An avid curler, golfer, gardener, home handyman and supporter of the Toronto Argonauts, Al maintained lifelong friendships with many, ranging from his boyhood friends from the Balmy Beach Public School, fellow Principals and their wives as well as many from the Beaches through his association with the Balmy Beach Canoe Club. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care provided by the doctors and nurses during his short stay at the Michael Garron Hospital. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Michael Garron Hospital or youth sports association of your choice is requested. Having said goodbye to too many of his friends over the past 20 years, in keeping with Al's wishes there will be no visitations and the funeral will be for family only. However, a celebration of Al's life will take place at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club at a future time and date to be determined.