Michael Charles Martine Sr.

Michael Charles Martine Sr., lovingly known as "Butch," passed away peacefully at home in Middletown, New York, on June 30th, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 83 years old.
Born on February 19th, 1942, at the Sanitarium Hospital in Middletown, New York, Michael was the son of Michael Joseph and Dorothy Martine. He was proudly of Sicilian descent - a heritage that he cherished deeply.
Michael's early years were marked by resilience and resourcefulness. Growing up as a sharecropper's son on the Bialas Farm in Pine Island's Black Dirt fields, he spent his childhood picking celery, lettuce, and onions. In 1951, his father saved $5,000 to free the family from sharecropper debt and moved them to Route 211 in Middletown, where they opened the Bypass Shell Station-a modest diner with two booths and a single gas pump where the Honda dealership stands today. The family lived above the diner in an apartment without a shower, prompting young Michael to ingeniously build one out of car hoods. This creativity and fierce independence became hallmarks of his life. At the request of the State Police, the family added a tow truck and later a repair bay, laying the foundation for a 75-year-long family legacy in automotive service.
At just 11 years old, Michael and his cousin Walter "Jolly Wally" Martine ran away to New York City, surviving homeless on the streets of Times Square in 1953. They slept on pool tables and in movie theaters, hustled to get by, and even sang on street corners, catching the attention of an agent.
In 1962, at age 21, he married Miss Waywayanda, Jeanne Larkin, who became a key partner in his success.
In 1963, they welcomed their first daughter, Antoinette Marie Martine, m. Eason.
Although his formal schooling ended after the eighth grade, Michael's entrepreneurial spirit was unstoppable.
In 1965, Gulf Gas approached Michael, Wally, and Jeanne to open a new shop across the street from the Bypass Station. With a $500 loan from his mother-in-law, Helen Larkin m. Jones, they did whatever it took to look fully stocked - even filling oil boxes with rocks.
Thus began Martine's Service Center: a true family business, and a local landmark, a testament to Michael's vision, dedication, and hard work, that celebrated its 60th anniversary this year on May 11th, 2025.
Michael was a local legend-widely known and deeply respected in the community.
Reaching 60 years in business was his lifelong dream.
Martine's wasn't just a shop-it was the beating heart of a community. Michael's unwavering commitment to a life of service kept families moving, towing for the local police and helping countless stranded drivers. Through Woodstock traffic jams, the gas crises of the 1970s, the closure of 211, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael kept the doors open.
In 1979, he proudly bought out Gulf Gas, fully making Martine's his own.
Many, if not most, of his family members and close friends worked there - including his sister Barbara Martine, his cousin Harry Martine, and his son Ronnie Banuat.
Michael's mentorship inspired many to open their own businesses, in auto mechanics and beyond, extending his legacy far beyond the shop.
Although Martine's made up for a lot of his life, Michael still found time to live boldly and passionately even outside of his business.
A lifelong and devoted race fan, he could often be found at the Orange County Fair Speedway eating a Maxwells ice cream and cheering on his favorite drivers. He owned the #770 race car driven by Jake "The Snake" Resiga - famously flipped on May 9th, 1970, the day his son, Michael Charles Martine Jr. was born. More recently, he sponsored his dear friend Leo Fotopoulos' son, Leo Jr., in the #555.
Michael's bold spirit showed everywhere: from the blackjack tables of Atlantic City and Las Vegas to nights at the Monticello Racetrack, sometimes gambling not just for fun but to make the Martine's payroll.
In 1991, at age 49, he welcomed his youngest daughter, Norma Jean Martine, with his friend and companion, Felecia Moon. Proudly calling himself her "Number One Fan," he even had his employees burn bootleg CDs of her music to give to customers at Martine's - making sure everyone who walked through the door heard about his daughter's talent.
Later in life, he shared over 30 devoted years with his beloved partner, Patricia Kulak, embracing her children and grandchildren, Nickie, Ronnie, Jessie, Ryan, and Mason, as a part of his own family. Michael and Ronnie ran Martine's for many years, side by side.
He loved music, Broadway shows, and traveling - from quick trips to New York City and Las Vegas, to visits to the Outer Banks to see his son and grandchildren, to trips to Florida to see his sister Barbara and nephew Craig, to journeys across London and Europe with his daughters.
One of the few Martine's to reconnect with his heritage, he also took an unforgettable trip to Sicily to rediscover his family's roots.
Michael lived life entirely on his own terms: believing rules were made to be broken, always running on "Martine time," driving in between the lines on 211, and carrying a rebellious spirit matched only by the size of his big and generous heart.
He was a devoted animal lover, a true Don Juan who could charm anyone he met, and a natural comedian often described as a real "character." He was a man with an unmistakably larger-than-life presence.
"My Way" was his favorite song and he lived it.
Above all, Michael was the cornerstone of a beautifully blended family - an incredible father and grandfather - a true family man in every sense. He never missed a concert, a birthday, a holiday, or a chance to take a photo, and his steady presence reminded everyone how much they mattered.
The walls of Martine's Service Center, lined with family photos, told the story without words: to Michael, family always came first.
He was truly one of a kind and his memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, and his legacy endures through his children and grandchildren and all those he inspired to follow their dreams.
Michael is predeceased by his parents, Michael Joseph and Dorothy Martine; his sisters Carole Burke, Maureen Palyo, and Barbara Martine; his beloved cousins Walter "Jolly Wally" Martine, Harry Martine, Earl Martini, Anthony Martini, Davey Martini, Joseph "Curly" Martini, and Janice Newkirk; his son and best friend Ronnie Banuat; his favorite furry companion, Gabby, and many other cherished family members and friends.
Michael is survived by his eldest daughter, Antoinette Eason, her husband Mark, and their daughters Cassandra and her fiancé Dave, Anna Toomey and her husband Mike, and Helena and her partner Emmanuel. His son, Michael Martine Jr., his wife Mel, and their children: Jamison Michael, Alexis, Caleb, Hayden, and Madelynn. Antoinette and Michael Jr's mother and Michael's former wife, Jeanne Larkin Reagan. His daughter-in-law, Jessie Banuat, her partner Mike, and her son Mason. His daughter, Paula "Nickie" McLoughlin, her mother and Michael's lifelong companion and friend Patricia Kulak, and her son, Ryan Nicolas. His youngest daughter, Norma Jean, her partner Greg, and her mother and Michael's lifelong companion, friend, and care giver, Felecia Moon. His dear friends Leo Fotopoulos, Lisa Vasquez, Frank "the Tire Guy" Rezac, Joshua Rodriguez, and Skyler Sumner, among many others. His beloved cousins Viola, Antoinette, Karen, Richard, Betty, and Bobby, among many others. His faithful companions, and loyal four-legged friends, Frankie and Peanut "Putty", who brought him endless joy and comfort. And many many many more cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, customers, and countless others whose lives he touched.
The people he loved and who loved him are a testament to the man he was. There are so many of you and you know who you are.
A Memorial service to celebrate Michael's life will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at St. John's Lutheran Church, 391 Mount Hope Road, Middletown, NY 10940. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Pets Alive and the Middletown Humane Society.