Martin Robert William Ilian

Martin Robert William Ilian Martin was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, on April 5th, 1941, and died unexpectedly but peacefully on November 17th, 2005, at 10:25am, in his home in Albany, CA, from a cerebral event. Martin was the only child of Louis Ilian and Helen Hannah Ganer, and was raised by his devoted mother, Helen. After graduating from Mt. Vernon High School, Martin served in the US Army in Hawaii. Back in NY, Martin completed a printer apprenticeship in his grandfather Nathan Ganer's printing company in Manhattan. In 1968, Martin enthusiastically relocated to SF, CA, where he enjoyed the weather and lifestyle of the Bay Area. During the 1970s, Martin co-founded Panjandrum Press with Dennis Koran and John Harris. Martin devoted a year to writing "The Bay Area Sports Directory" which was published by Chronicle Books in 1981. In the mid 1970s he joined the Chronicle for a career that spanned 25 years, first as a linotype operator, proofreader, and composition artist until computers replaced the linotype machines, when he learned the computer programs and was promoted to creative artist in the Creative Services Dept. In 1982 Martin married Wynette Weaver, a technical writer with similar interests to his and they remained devoted to each other during their 231/2 years of marriage and beyond. Politically active and a crusader for saving the environment, Martin was elected a County Council member for the Green Party in Berkeley, where he participated in fund raising events, conferences and served as webmaster for a number of years. After Martin retired, he volunteered his editing and proofreading skills at the Ecology Center in Berkeley, working on Terrain Magazine, as editor for the United Nations Newsletter in Berkeley, at Project Underground, and became a dedicated volunteer at the Transportation and Land Use Coalition in Berkeley, where he was learning grant writing while willingly accepting any assignment given to him; his efforts were rewarded he received the Volunteer of the Year award. Chess was one of Martin's joys; he took lessons from a local chess master and attended a local chess club. Although born Jewish, Martin felt more attuned to the spiritual practices of Buddhism, and volunteered weekly at Spirit Rock in Marin County, where he also attended classes and retreats. Survivors include his uncle and aunt, Stanley and Evelyn Ilian of Mt. Vernon, NY; his cousins Henry Ilian of Forest Hills, NY, and Nancy Greenbaum of Pacific Grove, CA; his good friend of 61 years, Robert Sachs of Hartford, CT; his significant other, Wynette Weaver, and many friends who will miss him very much.. A Memorial Service will be held at the Berkeley Buddhist Priory, 1358 Marin St. Sat, Jan. 14, at 2 pm (80-E, Buchanan St. Exit, Buchanan changes into Marin) From 3 pm, a celebration of Martin's life will take place at Martin and Wynette's home, 515 Pomona St., Albany (510) 524-2459. In lieu of flowers, a donation to an environmental organization would be most gratefully appreciated.