Obituary: John Joseph Martin, Sr., 77

"Ol' Bytosh has left the building." John Joseph "Marty" Martin, Sr., 77 spent his last day, September 15, 2012, at home surrounded by family, friends and memories. Born in Freehold, January 25, 1935, John grew up in rural Colts Neck and Scobeyville in the midst of horse and farm country. He often recalled that when he and his brother played Cowboys and Indians, they used real horses.

John was a proud graduate of St. James Elementary School and Red Bank Catholic High School, class of 1953, for which he was a perennial member of the reunion committee-never missed a one.

A loyal friend, John remained in though with classmates from kindergarten through high school. In 1992, John retired from Jersey Central Power and Light, after 42 years of service as a Meter Reader and Senior Relay Technician. John often stated that there was never a day that he wasn't happy to go to work. In his retirement, John accepted the responsibilities and the adventure of driving a school bus for Ocean Township School District.

Until recently, John was an active member of the Red Bank Elks, Lodge 233 and the Eatontown Elks, Lodge 2401 when he earned the titles of Elk of the Year, Officer of the Year (Tiler). John held memberships in the Knights of Columbus, Council #6392 and was a regular at 7 a.m. Sunday mass at St. Michael's, West End. Many of John's fondest memories were of coaching, especially his beloved "Buffs". John taught them "the fundamentals" of baseball and life. It was said "you were wither a Buff or a Buff wanna'be."

John loved his Giants, his Yankees and Notre Dame. John was a car enthusiast and dragster in the '50s who was transformed into a car collector, his favorite being his "cherry" 1970 Chevy Malibu rag-top which he owned until 2010. A lover of all things Irish, John's trip to "the old sod" was a highlight of him retirement. After a heart attack, Budweiser was banned for life but John came to enjoy a full-bodied cabernet. He did just that many times during his trip to Napa Valley. John's trips to Notre Dame and Cooperstown, NY were the fulfillment of a life-long dream. In later life, John found pleasure at Monmouth Park Race Track with him brother and son, Patrick.

John is predeceased by his parents John Henry Martin and Agnes Conway Martin, of the well-known Conway sisters of Freehold. John is survived by his son, John Jr., his son Patrick and wife Dana, granddaughters Alana and Angelica; his brother Robert, wife Cherry, niece Michele and her children Kerry Ann, Daniel and Erin Grace; his nephew Michael and wife LuAnn; his best friend and fiancée Barbara "Babsy" Neville, her daughter Laura and wife Jean, son Andy and wife Kim, daughter Paula and grandchildren Kellyn, Jack and Nina, numerous cousins and many, many friends.

Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's RC Church, West End. Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

Contributions may be made in John's memory to St. Barnabas Hospice, 300 Second Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740. You may light a candle of condolence by visiting www.woolleyboglioli.com