JAMES B. MARTIN

MARTIN JAMES B. MARTIN June 2, 1921 - September 21, 2012 For every season, turn-turn-turn, there is a season for living ....and Jim Martin cherished life. Known for his joyful generosity of spirit and kindness, these gifts were freely given right to the end. Jim Martin, 91, was a remarkable man of talent, intelligence, honor, and integrity. He expressed a wish to go home to God and died peacefully, following a brief illness, while summering in Maryland. His wife, Anne McDonnell Martin, and step-son, John Woolley, were at his bedside. Jim was the oldest of four children. Family meant much to Jim and he was predeceased by his loving parents, dear sisters Mary Ruth Martin and Lorraine Zavist, and his first wife Peggy Woolley Martin. He is survived by his beloved wife, Anne, his sister Anita Olsen (Bob), six step-children and spouses, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and countless friends. After seminary, and with masters degrees in history and philosophy, Father Jim served the Catholic Church in the Peoria, Tolono and Champaign IL parishes and for 30 years as a U.S. Navy chaplain. Captain Martin returned stateside and working for the VA Chaplain Service in Washington D.C. On his retirement, he relocated to Chula Vista, CA and became an active and compassionate hospice employee and later volunteer. In 2005, Jim moved to The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, Sarasota, FL, where he enjoyed many friends and participated in a wide range of activities that kept him lively as he aged. He was an active member in the social, theatrical, musical and religious life of that community. Jim was a life-long lover of the arts and an actor, singer and orator of considerable note. As a world traveler, Jim was a reader, a fitness buff, a friend to many and past chaplain of the Sarasota chapter of Military Officers Association of America. Whether traveling, walking, biking, dining out with friends, caring for others or attending church, Jim embraced life with a passion and made the most of the moment. We honor Jim as a husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, pastor, parishioner, and inspiration. At Jim's request, his life will be remembered at Sarasota's St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Friday, November 9, at 10:30 a.m. in the Chelsea Center temporary sanctuary. An additional service will be held in Gaithersburg MD on October 23 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Interment at the Sarasota National Veterans Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in Jim's memory to TideWell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238, or Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, FL 34238 or the Margaret Martin Memorial Arts Award, c/o David B. Woolley, Columbia College, Dept. of Theatre, Ste. 300, 72 East 11th Street, Chicago, IL 60605In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in Jim's memory to TideWell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238, or Glenridge Performing Arts Center, 7333 Scotland Way, Sarasota, FL 34238 or the Margaret Martin Memorial Arts Award, c/o David B. Woolley, Columbia College, Dept. of Theatre, Ste. 300, 72 East 11th Street, Chicago, IL 60605