John Miles Martin passed away at home with his wife Robin and sister-in-law Vicki at his side after a long illness. He was able to see all his family beforehand and share memories, music and time together.
John was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to parents Edward M. Martin and Henrietta P. Martin (Halloran) and grew up there with his big brother Eddie, younger brother Daniel and sister Mara. He served in the Marine Corps at the end of the Korean War. He spent 30 years with General Foods Co. before retiring from the International Division in Military Sales.
He married Sally Hartford and together they had three wonderful children Elizabeth, John Jr. (Wendy) and Eric (Julie).
John met and married the love of his life Robin Wadleigh in 1976. Their life together was a great adventure with sailing and living aboard their sailboat for 12 years, cruising on their boat, skiing, golfing, motorcycling, RVing, biking, good food, good music, spending time with new and old friends, children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. He could tell a grand story, had a wicked sense of humor, made people smile when he walked into the room and liked to tell people he had eyes like Paul Newman, sparkling blue and humorous. He loved to make his special spaghetti sauce, laugh, tell stories and listen to the blues. After living in Seattle, they moved to San Juan Island living there for over 20 years before moving to Anacortes nine years ago. He was very proud of his three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
John was a licensed skipper, making boat deliveries up and down the west coast including a trip up to Valdez, Alaska, after the oil spill in 1989, was a volunteer at the Seattle Crises Clinic, President of the American Logistics Association, President and Vice-President of VECOMA.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2022. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Northwest for their compassionate care. Memorial contributions may be sent in lieu of flowers to The Hospice of the Northwest Foundation at 227 Freeway Dr. Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or online at www.hospicenw.org.
“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you … I loved you so …’twas Heaven here with you.” Lisa Paschal Richardson
To share memories of John, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/john-martin.
