Father Joseph Charles Martin

FATHER JOSEPH CHARLES MARTIN, S.S. October 12, 1924 - March 9, 2009 Co-founder of Father Martin's Ashley, an addiction treatment center in Havre de Grace, Md., and authority and lecturer on alcoholism, died at the age of 84 at his home in Havre de Grace. Best known for his lectures on alcoholism as a disease, delivered to alcoholics and their families with his charismatic style and sense of humor, Father Martin is credited with saving the lives of thousands of alcoholics and addicts. His "Chalk Talk on Alcohol" lecture, which began "I'm Joe Martin, and I'm an alcoholic," and more than 40 films are legendary. His films, which have been translated into multiple languages, continue to be used at treatment centers around the world, in hospitals, substance abuse programs, industry and most branches of the U.S. government. He is the author of several publications including Chalk Talks on Alcohol, published by Harper & Row in 1982, which is still in print. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 1948. The following year he entered the Society of St. Sulpice, a community of priests devoted to the formation and education of seminarians and priests. While teaching English and History at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md., (1956-68), Father Martin began his recovery from alcoholism. Following treatment, he worked as a lecturer and educator in the Division of Alcohol Control for the state of Maryland, prior to founding Father Martin's Ashley. Father Martin always had a very special concern for priests in trouble. In this, he remained faithful to his Sulpician vocation throughout his life. Father Martin is survived by Mae and Tommy Abraham, with whom he lived for more than 30 years, two sisters Dorothy and Frances, his brother, Edward and numerous nieces, nephews and their children. The viewing will be held on Thursday, March 12, from 1 pm to 9 pm at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. Father Martin's Mass of Celebration of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, March 13 at 10 am at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cathedral Street, Baltimore, Md. Interment will be private. Expressions of remembrance may be e-mailed to ashley.marketing@fmashley.com or mailed to Father Martin Remembrance, Father Martin's Ashley, 800 Tydings Lane, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. They will be posted on the Father Martin's Ashley Web site at www.fathermartinsashley.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Father Martin's Ashley treatment center, 800 Tydings Lane, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 or to The Associated Sulpicians of the U.S., 5408 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21210.