Martin Erwin Nesbitt

1923 - 2013

Martin Erwin Nesbitt was born on November 10, 1923, in Cook County IL to James Bradshaw Nesbitt (an Irishman) and Catherine McLean Nesbitt (a Scottswoman). Martin lived in Ireland as a young child and at a young age moved with his family to Wisconsin where adventures galore awaited a young curious boy on the family farm. Martin recalled many wonderful stories that arose while he helped his father tend crops and farm animals. Martin befriended all animals including draft horses, farm cats and many dogs which he loved throughout his stay on that Wisconsin farm. Martin hunted in the woods nearby and fished the many creeks on and around his father's farm. Martin loved to hunt with one favorite dog named Chummy and the two brought game home frequently much to the delight of his proud parents. Martin's time on the family farm taught him many useful lessons including his ability to successfully grow anything, he truly had a green thumb and he loved nature and being outdoors.
Martin strived to find joy from hard work his entire life. He worked on rail crews, sleeping in box cars as the work trains made their way across the Midwest defoliating rail beds and railways. n 1941 Martin joined the United States Marine Corps and served honorably attaining the rank of Corporal. His hunting skill proved valuable as he was a sharpshooter with military firearms.
Upon completion of his military service, Martin landed a managerial job with the Southern Union Gas Company. The career he started as a young charismatic manager saw him all the way through retirement in 1988. Along the way he met his feisty young bride, Mary Catherine Murphy, married her in Clayton NM in 1951, reared four children, and enjoyed life with his family in Clayton, Portales, and Clovis. Martin enjoyed his retirement years in Belen, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces.
Martin was one who was easy to like. He made friends every where he landed. He took a no nonsense approach to all aspects of life, yet had a good humor about him that was a natural draw he used to develop friendships. Martin was constantly learning from things he read and from conversations with interesting friends and family.
Martin is survived by his four children who he loved dearly, Jim (Patti), Anne (Brad), Timothy, and Patrick (Michele), six grand children, eight great grand children, two sisters in law, and nephews and nieces. Martin considered many of his close friends as family.
Being a private man, Martin asked for private services with his close family and will be buried alongside his loving wife at a family plot in Raton NM. Marin was appreciative of the care he received at Memorial Medical Center and especially the care from Dr. Maidana-Paz and Dr. Bruce Greenfield. To encourage others to utilize the services of Hospice where Martin passed away on December 4, 2013, the family would appreciate donations be made in Martin's honor to Mesilla Valley Hospice Foundation; 299 E. Montana; Las Cruces, NM 88005
Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave. To sign our local on line guestbook please log onto www.GetzCares.com