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CLARENCE MARTIN Obituary
CLARENCE JAMES MARTIN Clarence James Martin of Jensen Beach, FL, died April 5th in St. Petersburg, FL. Clancy, as he was known, was a retired college music professor and church musician. He was born October 24, 1926 in Lancaster, PA, the son of the late Rev. John H. Martin and Barbara Martin. After a brief period of military service in the U.S. Army, he earned degrees from Houghton College (NY), Indiana University, and his doctoral degree from the University of Cincinnati. His entire professional career was at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA where he served as the choral director and 25 years as the Chairman of the Music Department. Highlights of his career were preparing the choirs for the yearly oratorio performances with the Youngstown (OH) Symphony. He was also the Director of the Youngstown Symphony Chorus for eleven years. Some of his most memorable experiences were the numerous European trips that the choirs took including performances in Westminster Abbey in London, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. In his retirement years, he planned and conducted foreign overseas trips for alumni groups. Survivors include his wife, Helen of Jensen Beach, Fl; four sons, Stephen and wife Tina of Albuquerque, NM, Barry and wife Sally of Canton, OH, Douglas and Jeffrey of Havertown, PA. Three grandchildren complete the immediate family: Drew, Ellen, and Peter. One sister and two brothers also survive him. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster College in memory of Clarence J. Martin at Westminster College, Development Office, 319 Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16172. We hope that the proceeds may be used to create a Music Scholarship in Clarence's name. Paid Obituary
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June 13, 2013
The notice of the Alumni Music Reunion brought the sad news of Dr. Martin's death. I sang in his choirs at Westminster before transferring to another college. They were a marvelous two years under his leadership. Not only was Dr. Martin an extraordinary musician, his exceptional character and high standards made each rehearsal and performance memorable. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Nancy Easter Proia '73
June 7, 2013
I just found out that Clance had died with the Alumni Choir Reunion notice arrived. What at shock. Somehow we think great friends will go on forever.
We were neighbors in New Wilmington, went on milk runs to Ohio, and our children were about the same age. We had a memorable trip to England, as tourists and musicians. I feel enriched to have known him. Beth McIndoe Hoekje '54 (Portland, TX)
Helen Martin
May 2, 2013
The many comments you have made about Clancy are a great comfort to me and my family, and a great tribute to him. Thank you, thank you! We're grateful for many happy memories.
Betty-Ann Lynerd
April 30, 2013
A gentleman, musician, educator all rolled into a lovely man. He shaped my music education at Westminster as well as my career.
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April 24, 2013
I was sad to hear that Clancy passed away this past month. I was just talking to my husband about our trip to Romania, 1978, and what a trip that was!!! He was always patient and kind and I loved singing in the choir under his direction! Claudia Herr Beebe 1979
April 19, 2013
Dear Helen and family. We were saddened to hear of Clancy's passing. We have so many memories of working together at Westminster and your love and friendships of the fun times we all enjoyed togther. Please keep in touch. Love, Lois and Joe Locke
Kathy Hall LeFevre '85
April 18, 2013
I am sad to hear of Dr. Martin's passing. Like so many other entries, my fondest memories of my 4 years at Westminster are centered around the choir. Across the country, stories about choir tours are being told between old friends and to our children. Peace to the whole family.
April 14, 2013
Thinking of you, Helen and your family at this sad time.
Carole Little
April 13, 2013
We mourn the loss of our good friend Clancy Martin. Delber and Margaret Mckee
Gail Murphy-Geiss
April 12, 2013
Dr. Martin WAS Westminster College for me! I count him among 3 or 4 teacher/mentors in my life who made me what I am. He believed in me, so I believed in myself. He was fun, upbeat, kind, brilliant, and super talented! Concert Choir with him was the best part of college, indeed one of the best times in my life, and after some prodding, when he agreed to be my voice teacher in my senior year, I really learned to sing. He loved his students, his family and life in general. We were all so lucky to have worked with him. Words simply cannot express my great love and highest regard for him. Dr. Martin, thank you for everything!
Beatrice Santner
April 12, 2013
I also am so grateful for the experiences I've had in Dr. Martin's choirs. I still make music with choirs of my own and his influence is always a part of me. Beatrice, 1979 graduate.
Randy Broker
April 11, 2013
Dr. Martin was such a wonderful director and mentor. I think about him a great deal. Singing under his baton was truly a gift.
Barbara Brown Lane
April 11, 2013
I just finished reading 19 entries - what a beautiful tribute to this talented man, and I concur with all of them. I'm smiling while remembering Dr. Martin: his sense of humor (Frieda Schwartz lives!), his endless energy, and the time he took with perhaps the least talented musician to graduate WC. He had joy. I am grateful.
Terry Lindsay
April 11, 2013
I sit here with tears in my eyes... There are no memories to compare to those of singing in Clancy's choirs. Every Lessons and Carols, every choir tour, home stay, rehearsal, cut-off, the raise of the eye brows... Can we hope for anything more in this life than to have given someone such wonderful and treasured memories. I was blessed to know Clancy Martin for that short time but it's made my so worth while and, I hope, helped me to give back some of that experience to others.
Dr. Martin, you were the best and will live on in all of the music your students and their students will make....
Gene Hill
April 11, 2013
Clancy provided faculty with an outlet for singing "challenging" music with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus--he was much gentler with us than the rigor expected of his college groups. He sometimes let us rehearse the music on campus. It was a privilege to have known him and learn from him.
Ken Long
April 10, 2013
Nancy and I are sad to learn of Clancy's death. I have good memories of singing in the Youngstown Symphony Chorus with him.
Amy (Baker) Kindell
April 10, 2013
Fond memories of singing in choirs at Westminster, and especially of our Europe Tour in January '82. What a fine legacy left to so many. My condolences to Helen and the family.
Mary Lynn Tobin
April 10, 2013
The day I found out I was accepted into the Concert Choir, I was flying on cloud nine. And for good reason, although I didn't know it yet: being under Dr. Martin's tutelage provided skills and tools and lessons that I have remembered and used for a lifetime, and I'm sure others have as well. I am so grateful. Blessings to all of you as you begin the grieving journey.
Todd Cole
April 10, 2013
Dr. Martin always looked for the best in everyone. He was excited for your good works and asked nothing but the best of you when you worked with him. My fondest memories were at Westminster was of his direction of the Freshman Choir during the first Vespers Service each year, and his outstanding performance at each Christmas Vespers in Orr Auditorium! He loved his music and he loved his life. The photo of this obituary captures his love.
April 10, 2013
Words cannot express our deep loss of such a gentle, competent colleague and dear friend. Our sadness expresses our deep love of Clance. Westminster College was blessed to have him as a member of its faculty and so were so many of us who learned from him and worked with him. Our love to each member of his family. Peggy and Judd McConnell
Ken Phillips
April 10, 2013
Clance was mentor, colleague, and friend. We spent many enjoyable hours talking music and attending the national ACDA conferences together. He was a real class act, a true gentleman, and I will miss him dearly.
Claudia Keyian
April 10, 2013
Dr. Martin was a tremendously gifted choral conductor. I was so very honered and blessed to be part of the concert choir at Westminster, under his direction. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Allison (Roach) Miller '91
April 10, 2013
What wonderful memories I have of Dr. Martin as a member of his choir for my four years at Westminster! He was truly an inspiration and still my most favorite director of the many choirs in which I have sung. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
April 9, 2013
One of the greatest influences on my coreer, inspiring me to be a choral director. What a great department he led for so many years My condolences to all his friend and family
Deaconess Nancy Herman Gordon B Mus 1968
April 9, 2013
I was in the choir with Dr. Ocock who played the organ and piano for Dr. Martin. Dr. O would often make Dr. Martin crack up which would always get the choir going. I sang under his leadership for 4 years and loved it.
Susan Welty Baker '84
Biz (Ellis) Hines
April 9, 2013
Clancy... what a great man who added so much to the Westminster campus and the New Wilmington community! What a joy to have known him and his wonderful family throughout their years in New Wilmington. His warm smile and great talent were a gift to so many students, colleagues and friends over the years. Love and prayers for you, Helen, and all the Martin family...as you move through the sadness of your loss, be held in the light as you celebrate Clancy's amazing life.
April 9, 2013
Because we started together in the music department in 1952, Dr. Martin as a professor and I as a student, he is truly a testament of dedication to Westminster College. What grand memories of early choir trips, concerts, friendships and happy times.
Please know that I share in your sadness, Helen, and wish peace for your heart with thoughts of happy memories.
Connie Mohr Wright '56
Amelia Island, FL
Carey Anne Meyer LaSor, 86
April 9, 2013
Dr. Martin was a mentor to me in both life and music - always searching for the best in both and always enjoying the work toward making either grand. He crafted my voice and taught lessons I still use. I am sure that the Martin family is sad, but I hope you also are certain of a life lived so wonderfully well. Prayers are with you in this time of passage...
Dorita Bolger
April 9, 2013
Clancy Martin - gentleman and music man. I was his colleague for a short time before he retired but all could see his effect on students and colleagues. Clancy lives on through his very significant contributions to Westminster. Tell the Clancy tales and comfort one another.
Robin Lind
April 9, 2013
Clancy Martin left a legacy at Westminster College in the Music Department and with the choirs. He will always be remembered here for his passion for music making and developing musicians.
Clarence Harms
April 9, 2013
I have great memories of working together with the "other Clarence" at Westminster College. Clancy and I sometimes had our mail mixed up! He was a musical genius and a perfect gentleman. Blessings on the family,
Debbie Patterson-Noderer
April 9, 2013
My heart is heavy as I am just reading about Dr. Martin's passing. I have SOOO many wonderful memories of choir rehearsals and tours we went on. Helen was known as our "choir mom". Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Lean on the Lord for your support. God bless you all. I am honored to have had him as my choir director at Westminster. I was a vocal performance major, he taught me so much.
Mabel Wimer
April 9, 2013
How sorry I was to learn of your loss. My thoughts and prayers continue for your entire family in this time of transition. May your many happy memories together be a support for you now.
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