Fred J. Martin Jr.

I just visited the old Butte firehouse today with my Mom, and thought of my cousin, Fred Martin who shall be greatly missed. Despite his military, philanthropic service, scholastic, athletic and business achievements, he found the time to encourage me through some of the toughest points in my adult life. I shall remain forever grateful to him for his steadfast adherence to his Faith, and for the solid advice he gave me throughout multiple decades. He also encouraged my son´s father. Sincere...

Dear Shirlee, Drew and Laurie, Fred and family, Ian and I are so sad about the loss of dear Cousin Freddy. I always called him Cousin Freddy because that´s how my mom, Marilyn Craddock, referred to her younger cousin. Fred and Shirlee were the first family to meet our daughter Marilyn on a trip to Bangkok. We remember so many visits and dinners, hearing stories about the family and all Fred´s bike and ski trips. Fred was always in touch when he came through Washington, always wanting to hear...

Fred and I could not have been more different people. However, when I moved to San Francisco and his (and Shirlee's) daughter Laurie and I became college roommates, I was welcomed into the Martin family fondly. My relationship with both Fred and Shirlee - as well as with Laurie - has continued for more than 40 years. I know that Fred will be greatly missed by many and that Laurie has a special white orchard now to commemorate her father's life on the earth. I know too that Laurie's brother...

Deepest sympathies to Shirlee and the rest of Fred's family. Fred was a colleague in Public Affairs when he was at the SF Chamber and B of A and I was with Shell Oil and then McKesson Corp. We stayed in touch after retirement and enjoyed many humorous and lively discussions. Fred always had a lot to offer on any issue; I will miss his insight and editorial comments.

Fred and I shared interests and involvements in our home state Montana, where he and his family made significant contributions, and in the Irish community in San Francisco and in Ireland. Ute and I also attended his presentation at SF Commonwealth Club on his book, "Abraham Lincoln's Path to Re-election in 1864. We arranged for much appreciated donations of multi copies of that unique book to the Blackfeet Community College and Stone Child College of Chippewa-Cree on Montana Reservations....

I knew Fred through his wife, Shirlee. We both worked for the San Francisco School District. I did have some contact with Fred due to his political work. I remember attending a meeting at the Commonwealth Club, where he made a presentation on his book on Abraham Lincoln.

Fred was an amazing man. I really got to know him over the last 3 years. He loved going for walks and telling me all about various times and activities of his life. I loved how he was so determined to take up running and bicycling again. Fred was an icon of our West Portal neighborhood and was one of the first members of the Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association. He rarely missed a meeting.

Fred was the quintessential cosmopolitan man, yet grounded and approachable; a true gentleman. Fred could be appropriately serious, or playful, yet always a dear friend - as is Shirlee. May God bless his family.

As a young woman at City Hall in San Francisco I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Martin. He was kind, humorous and gracious in conversations on differences of opinions. He was an excellent example on how to negotiate, peacefully. Thank you Mr. Martin.