Martin Joseph Blackman

Martin Joseph Blackman Martin Blackman died at his home in Bellingham on Wednesday, September 10, of a cancer that was diagnosed in June. Born in Philadelphia in 1952, Martin traveled widely and earned master's degrees in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon and in Creative Writing from Antioch University. Martin worked for more than 10 years in Planning for the City of Tacoma and for Pierce County. He is also remembered for his participation in poetry events in Tacoma and Seattle. After leaving Tacoma, Martin accomplished milestones in growth management for San Juan County and then worked as a Planning Department supervisor and SEPA official for Whatcom County. His wife, Elizabeth Anderson, his parents, Edward and Erika Blackman, and his sister, Dr. Annette Blackman, survive him. A memorial celebration of Martin Blackman's life, followed by a reception, will be held at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1708 I St., Bellingham, WA 98225 on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 4 PM. Photographs and a guest book are available online at www.westfordfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for a park bench overlooking Haro Strait on San Juan Island. Park donations may be sent to Martin Blackman Memorial, Islander's Bank - Friday Harbor, PO Box 909, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.