Martin R. Vail

Martin "Marty" Roderick Vail, 73, a lifelong resident of Greenfield Township, PA, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Community Living Center Hospice of the VA Medical Center in Wilkes Barre, PA, after a more than three-year valiant battle with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma and peripheral neuropathy. He was the beloved husband of his wife of 51 years, Ida Wilsey Vail and treasured father to son, Tim.
Born in Carbondale, PA, he was the son of the late Herbert and Laverna Robinson Vail. Martin was a 1969 graduate of Lakeland High School and later graduated from courses at Johnson College and ASI. He worked as a maintenance mechanic at Valmet, Inc., Clarks Summit, PA, for 36 years. He was the owner and operator of his first business, The Homeowner's Helper. Marty grew up on a farm and ever since boyhood he was interested in machinery. In 2001, he started his second business, Sandy Banks Skidsteers, which he ran with his wife until the end of 2022.
Martin was an Army veteran of both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. He always said that he was drafted twice when he was pulled from his school unit, the 2091st in Scranton where he was a truck driving instructor to serve with the 424th Military Police Detachment out of Ashley in the MP Prisoner Advisory Unit in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. He retired after 21 years of honorable service from the Army Reserve with the rank of SFC E7. He was a member of NERMA (Northeast Retired Military Association).
Over the years, Marty enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son along with going to car shows and tractor pulls at the county fairs together. In their younger years, Marty and Ida would take long motorcycle rides through the country. He also enjoyed walking every day in good weather and going to the gym. He was a fan of westerns, especially Gunsmoke and Wagon Train. He was also a fan of Clint Eastwood, but his favorite movie was "My Cousin Vinny". His favorite music was from the Vietnam era, "Fortunate Son" being one of his most liked songs.
Martin was a hard worker and took good care of his family. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone needing help. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful voice which was the voice of calm and reason for his wife and son. He was their rock and they will miss him dearly.
Also surviving are sisters: Lana Bossick of Carbondale, PA, Diane Beres and husband, Howard of Lebanon, NJ, Linda Tutwiler of Alva, OK, Kathleen "Kathy" McGonigle of Wallingford, PA, and Cynthia "Cindy" McGrath and husband, Jim of Riverside, CA; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by his brother: Bruce Vail; and a brother-in-law: Jim McGonigle.
Ida and Tim extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Community Living Center Hospice at the Wilkes Barre VA Center for their kind and compassionate care.
The funeral was held Monday, April 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. from Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 89 Farview Street, Carbondale, PA, with Rev. Bonnie Resseguie, officiating. Interment with military honors, Sandy Banks Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.
Pallbearers: Randy Weller, Shawn Wilsey, P.J. Fortuner, Joseph Bossick, Steven Bossick and Edward Tranovich.
Viewing hours were held Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 2-5 p.m.
Memorial contributions in Martin's name were sent to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org or the American Cancer Society www.donate.cancer.org