Martin H. Lodge

Martin H. Lodge

Martin Harvey Lodge, 68, passed away on March 5, 2025, at his home in Key Largo, Florida. Right to the end, Martin lived his own life on his own terms. A truly independent spirit, he was at the same time a loving son and loyal brother, and a most generous friend to many.

Martin was born in Toledo, Ohio, on August 16, 1956, to Harvey and Irene Lodge, the second of four children. Martin was the athlete of the family, excelling in baseball and football, and later wrestling, in his early years in Toledo and New Jersey. In 1969, Martin entered St. John's High School in Toledo and graduated in 1974. He worked evenings and weekends at the old Surf Club in South Toledo in order to pay for his St. John's education in his junior and senior years. Martin was popular and well-liked at St. John's, narrowly missing election to a prominent student office in his senior year with the unforgettable campaign slogan, "No fartin' with Martin, no hodgepodge with Lodge."

After high school, Martin decided against college (he often said he got all the education he would ever need in life from the Jesuits at St. John's), and headed out for the mountains of Colorado to make his way. He worked construction on the ski resorts that were being built in Vail and Durango, and then behind a desk with a truck equipment company in Denver, before finally settling in Minturn, a small mining town deep in the Rockies. He lived in a home on the main street in Minturn, working as a painter and short order cook, and fishing and camping in the mountains whenever he could. In the early 90's, deciding the area was changing too much for his taste, he headed with his dog, Mojo, toward warmer weather, taking up residence in South Florida near his sister. Shortly thereafter, he was offered a job as auto parts manager for an auto dealership in the Cayman Islands. He accepted and ended up living in Cayman and working in the automotive business for most of the next 20 years.

Martin served as parts manager for several auto dealerships on the Island, developing a reputation for knowledgeable and reliable customer service throughout the Caribbean. His work took him all over the West Indies and Central America, and he developed business relationships with customers and suppliers that lasted for years. He lived in a home on the sea near Georgetown, and his always-welcome guests could enjoy incredible snorkeling steps from his front porch.

In 2014, Martin retired from the auto business and returned to Florida, this time to his final home in Key Largo. Though retired, he continued to work on a regular basis, first as a deli clerk (Jimmy Johnson was one of his regular customers), then a cab driver, and finally as a jack-of-all-trades for one of the top restaurants in Key Largo.

Martin was very proud of his Irish heritage. He was the grandson of Irish immigrants who settled in this country in the 1920's. Martin was able to visit the family homestead of his great-grandfather, Martin Quish, in County Limerick in 2012, where his grandfather, Thomas Quish, was born and raised. Martin would forever after regale anybody who would listen with stories of Quish family lore, both ancient and recent, gained from his cousin, Dermot, on his Ireland visit. "We are descended from poets and kings," he would often express with wonder.

Martin was an ardent and devoted fisherman, first catching catfish and carp on the Maumee and walleye on Lake Erie, then trout in the mountain streams of Colorado, and finally redfish, snook and grouper in Florida and Cayman. He loved to watch (and argue about) both football and politics, and for decades was a loyal fan of both the Denver Broncos and Detroit Tigers. He was also a talented cook, best-known for his stews, chilis and (though his niece may disagree) biscuits and gravy.

Martin is survived by his brothers, Greg (Mary Kay) and Patrick; sister, Dana (Jeff Morgan); and four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Irene. Despite his far-flung travels, he managed to be at both of their sides when they passed. Martin touched the lives of many other people in ways both small and large. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him, and his constant and limitless generosity toward others will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.