MARTIN, William Christopher (Bill)
November 5, 1927 – December 20, 2021
With deep sadness we share the passing of Bill Martin at the age of 94, a beloved husband, father, and friend who left us peacefully with family by his side at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa on December 20. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Margaret Martin (nee MacLellan), son John and wife Joy (Calgary), daughter Paula (Vancouver), grandchildren Dianna (Nick) and Kimberly (Craig) and great-grandchildren Halen and Emberlily. Dear son of the late James and Gertrude (Saunders) Martin of Halifax, NS, Bill is survived by sister Dorothy and brother Joseph (Norma) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers James and George, and sister Norma.
Bill was born and grew up in Halifax and lost his own father as a teenager. As the oldest of six, he signed up with the Armed Forces to support his family and served for nearly 20 years as a Sergeant in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps (RCOC) and was a founding member of the RCOC Association. He then moved to the Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Headquarters, Ottawa) as Director of Sales and Marketing before retiring. An inveterate volunteer, Bill was active in the Scouting movement, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Shepherds of Good Hope, North-East Ottawa Seniors Support Service (NEOSS), Encounters With Canada, and Meals on Wheels, among others.
A gentle and kind man with a generous and loyal nature, Bill showed us what being a responsible family member and citizen meant, always looking out for others and connecting his large, extended family. He loved reading, genealogy, military history, camping, tinkering at his workbench, and his Cocker Spaniel Bailey, who is patiently waiting for her next walk with him. Stationed in Mönchengladbach, Germany in the early 1960s, Bill enjoyed driving his young family all over Europe in the Simca automobile he acquired straight from the factory in Paris and capturing our travel adventures on his 8mm camera. In his retirement he took a long-dreamed of driving trip around North America, logging thousands of kilometres as he and Mary drove the perimeter of the USA and across Canada in a kitted-out van, visiting family and friends in all corners of the continent.
His years of genealogical research traced the Martin family’s settlement in Nova Scotia to 1749 and many descendants still live in and around the fishing village of Ketch Harbour just outside of Halifax.
Bill had a wry sense of humour, a curious mind, wise guidance for his children, and a friendly word for all those he met. We will miss him terribly.
A visitation will be held at Hulse, Playfair & McGarry – St. Laurent Chapel, 1200 Ogilvie Road, Ottawa on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. In accordance with Covid-19 protocols everyone must show proof of full vaccination and wear a mask. If you wish to attend, please RSVP on the funeral home website just below Bill’s obituary. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 400 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 12pm. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed by the Parish. A memorial graveside will take place in May.
Our special thanks to Darlene Dudar and Art Carswell for their care and friendship over the years, the SE Health PSW team, and the medical staff at the Montfort Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice that makes life better for those who have less.
Monday December 20th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de William Christopher Martin Monday December 20th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario