Dr. John J. Martin

1923 - 2022

Dr. John J. Martin, 98, of 52 Moorland Street, Williamstown, MA died Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at his home in Williamstown. Dr. Martin was born in Holyoke MA to the late Edward and May Martin. He graduated from Adams High School in 1941, and University of Massachusetts in 1948. He received his M.D. at Harvard Medical School in 1952. He served in the United States Army Air Force in the 145th Army Airways Communications Squadron in the Pacific Theatre on Canton Island. He completed his internship at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH in 1953 and served as a general practitioner in Adams until 1958. He completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia PA and returned to open his Ophthalmology Practice in North Adams in 1961. He was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was on the surgical staff of the North Adams Regional Hospital and the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington, VT. He was also an Associate Ophthalmologist at the Albany Medical center, where he was a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology. He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and friend. He was a beloved and compassionate physician with a unique ability to provide undivided, focused attention to each patient. Until his death he remained an avid learner who stayed abreast of medical advances reading the weekly New England Journal of Medicine. He was a member of the Taconic Golf Club, Williamstown, MA, and the Abenakee Club in Biddeford Pool, ME, and was communicant of Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish in Williamstown.

Survivors include his seven children, Edward Martin, MD and Linda Resnik of Cranston, RI; Kathryn Martin, MD and David Systrom, MD of Winchester, MA; John Martin, Jr., MD and Forrest McSurdy of Key Biscayne, FL; Susan Martin PMHNP and Michael Welch of Portland, ME; Marianne Martin DVM of Auburn, MA; Ann Pfister and Peter Pfister of Kennebunkport, ME; Tricia Raphael and Harry Raphael of Williamstown, MA; and James Martin and Melissa Martin of North Andover, MA. Dr. Martin is also survived by his sisters, Rosamond Formal of Haddonfield, NJ, and Mary Claire White of Chatham, NJ, and 19 grandchildren, Grady Martin, Hannah Systrom, MD, Conor Systrom, Sarah Muir FNP, Brian Muir, Ben Martin, Jimmy Martin, Emily Martin, Meredith Pfister, Brooke Pfister, MD, Mark Pfister, John Pfister, Kate Pfister, Tyler Raphael, Madison Raphael, Grant Raphael, Jayme Martin, Sabrina Martin and Dannan Martin, and 5 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes T. Martin and son Thomas J. Martin. FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 26, at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick & Raphael Church in Williamstown, MA. Burial will follow at the family plot in Eastlawn Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main Street, North Adams, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Williamstown Food Pantry in care of St. Patrick's Church, 54 Southworth Street, Williamstown, MA 01267 or through the funeral home. For further info, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.