Joseph A. Martin

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Aaron Martin, age 64, of Appleton, Wisconsin, who left us peacefully on March 8th, 2025, with his beloved son, Collin, by his side.

Joe was born on March 8th, 1961, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, as the ninth of twelve children to Edward Martin Sr. and Wanda Perry Martin Denis. His birth on the same day as his maternal grandmother, Thelma Damaris Eliason, formed a special bond between them, and in 1968, Joe moved to live with her. His formative years were spent in Dayton, Ohio, and Omaha, Nebraska, before Joe returned to Dayton to graduate from culinary school and began his career in the restaurant industry.

In 1987, Joe moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, to further pursue his culinary career. His skills took him across several states, where he not only honed his craft but also shared his talent and dedication with many. His love for food and hospitality extended far beyond the kitchen and into the hearts of all those who had the pleasure of experiencing his creations.

Beyond his culinary career, Joe’s passion for service and leadership was evident in all aspects of his life. In 2006, Joe was commissioned as a Captain (CPT) by the Wisconsin Army Cadets, where he served as the Executive Officer from 2006 to 2007. Alongside his dear friend, Brian Blahnik, Joe played an instrumental role in securing community events to support the financial foundation of the Cadet program, ensuring its long-term success. One of Joe’s proudest moments was having his son, Collin, attend drills with him as a young boy, witnessing his father’s leadership firsthand.

A life-altering accident in May of 2000 left Joe a quadriplegic, yet his resilience and unwavering drive to serve others became even more evident. For years, Joe and Collin attended and contributed their efforts to a wide variety of campaigns. In 2008, Joe was elected to the Appleton City Council, where he served for 14 years. His contributions focused on conserving energy, protecting the environment, and advocating for those with disabilities. Joe’s legacy of civic leadership includes serving on various boards, including the Park and Recreation Committee (Chair), Utilities Committee (Chair), Appleton Redevelopment Authority, Board of Public Works, Fox Cities Transit Commission, and many others. His dedication to his community earned him the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow award, a recognition of his outstanding service.

One of Joe’s most personal and significant achievements was the creation of the Monarch Society Fox River Valley, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental issues, particularly the conservation of monarch butterflies. This was a true reflection of his love for nature and his commitment to preserving the environment for future generations.

Throughout his life, Joe’s humor, compassion, and deep sense of community shone brightly. He was always ready to help others, whether through his work in city government, his volunteerism at St. Joseph Church, or his personal relationships. Joe was the kind of person who made everyone feel welcome and valued, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Martin Sr. and Wanda Perry Martin Denis, as well as his maternal and paternal grandparents.

He is survived by his son, Collin Martin; care giver Donna Mc Cormick, his siblings: Edward Martin Jr., Retha (Kathy) Hall, Karen Small, Tammie Carpenter, Daryld (Marty) Martin, Timothy (Tim) Martin, Thomas (Tom) Martin, Toni Mobley, Mary Ann Bechdoldt, Walter (Ronny) Martin, and Lisa Chamberlain; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who will miss him deeply.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday March 31, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 410 W. Lawrence Street in Appleton. Visitation will take place at the church on Monday, March 31, 2025, from 12:30 PM until the time of the mass at 2:00 PM.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to in Joe’s memory to continue his work in service to others.

Joe’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy of love, service, and commitment to making the world a better place will continue to inspire those who had the honor of crossing paths with him. He will be greatly missed, but his spirit and contributions will never be forgotten.