Obituary of Thomas Martin

April 22, 1930 - July 17, 2008

Without so much as a word of complaint, Thomas Martin a very courageous, gentle man experienced a soft gentle passing into the greater life on July 17, 2008 after a long battle with kidney disease and organ failure.

Thomas has left this world, but not before impressing upon it the footprint of a life well lived. Thomas was one of the six children born to Alfred and Sarah Martin, in the old town of Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Scotland. He spent many happy years playing on the castle hill and going to school. Thomas worked from a young age to help his family out. Kindness and generousity played a large part in Thomas' life and he never refused anyone a helping hand. He was a quintessential Scot who was engaging and likeable but deep in his core he was tough resilient and solitary. Thomas joined the RAF in 1948 through 1950 and was stationed in Wales. He emmigrated to Canada in 1956 and lived in Toronto for 15 years working for Dupont of Canada as a wasrehouse supervisor. In 1971, Thomas and Joyce left Toronto for a wondrous life in the mountains. He secured employment with Kaiser Resources in Sparwood where he was a warehose supervisor until the mine closed. He then went to Greenhills in Elkford until he retired in 1992.

A great outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing and boating. Many stories resulted from the fishing and hunting expeditions, especially the ones on horseback. In 1974, Thomas and Joyce moved to Fernie and lived there for 17 years among the company of many good friends. Thomas was a member of the Fernie Golf and Country Club and the Fernie Elks Club where he enjoyed playing Santa for a few years. Thomas was involved in the Robbie Burns night celebrations and looked wonderful in his kilt carrying the haggis and dancing Gay Gordons. In 1991 Thomas and Joyce moved to Cranbrook to escape the snowy Fernie winters. They travelled extensively to many parts of the world, but always liked getting home again. Thomas was a member of the Knox Presbyterian Church which he attended regularly. By his own standards, Thomas had a great life. He is at peace and we are conforted.

Thomas leaves to mourn his passing his wife Joyce; sister Patricia Jensen in Copenhagen, Denmark; a son Al in Houston, Texas; daughters: Dawn Bernard (Kevin) in Havelock, New Brunswick; Mary Jarvis (Marty) in Havelock, New Brunswick; Frances Metivier in Toronto, Ontario; as well as 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and cousins in Canada and Scoltland.

Thomas was predeceased by his mother and father, 1 brother Alfred, and 2 sisters: Mary and Margaret.

A funeral service for Thomas will be held on Friday, July 25th, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Knox Presbyterian Church in Cranbrook. Memorial donations in honour of Thomas can be made to the Cranbrook SPCA: 3339 Hwy 3&95, Cranbrook, British Columbia V1C 7B2.

An Interment for Thomas will take place in Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Scotland at a later date. Many thanks to Dr. Rolandi and Dr. Zhang and the entire renal team.Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com