Ralph W. Martin
1935 - 2013
Martin, Ralph W. - It is with sadness we announce the death of Ralph W. Martin on December 19th, 2013, a longtime resident of Lower Economy and most recently of Parrsboro. Ralph was born in 1935, in Somerset, Bermuda, to Cyril and Ruth (Pitman) Martin. He started working for the Bermuda Press when a teenager as a linotype operator and, after a few years working for Triminghams, returned there and worked many years for the Royal Gazette newspaper in sales and advertising. Always friendly, out-going and generous, Ralph was a popular and well known person, successful in all of his varied activities – including the catering business ‘Party Time’ he and his wife had in Bermuda. The name of the business personified Ralph, who always had a great love and zest for life. He was an avid sportsman in many areas but specifically focused on his love of field hockey, which he enjoyed for many years, even playing at the Pan American Games. Through this and more, Ralph married and had four children with his wife Corynne. Another lifelong interest he had was for animals, specifically birds, and he was a member (later president) of the Bermuda Poultry Fancier’s Society. It was this love of farming that lead him and his wife to Nova Scotia and a farm in Lower Economy, where he enjoyed raising whatever made him happy. Together Ralph and Corynne had the ‘Um Um Tearoom’ for a few years before purchasing the Economy Country Store. Together with their youngest son, they ran the store for fifteen years through thick and thin, sun and snow, with Ralph usually wearing his shorts no matter the weather. A heart attack in 2002 and a stroke in 2004 didn’t keep him down. He and his wife finally decided to close the store and retire when seventy six years old. Ralph is survived by his wife of fifty two years, Corynne (Durant) Martin and four children – Sue-Ellyn Eldridge, Parrsboro/BVI; Todd Martin (Mya), Bermuda; Jayson Martin (Ana), Brampton, Ont.; Matthew Martin (Caitilin), Economy – and grandchildren, William, Benjamin, Rebecca, Christopher, Carlos, Sabrina, Rachel, Moss and Eowyn. He is also survived by his brother Derek Martin (Marcia), Florida; and his sister, Shirley Wayne (Anthony), Chidlow, Australia; brother-in-law Malcolm Harvey, Parrsboro; and brother-in-law, Bill Durant (Grace), Oromocto, N.B.; many nieces and nephews as well as a multitude of other family and friends (here and abroad) who will all miss him keenly. Funeral service will take place on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 2 p.m. in Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro, Frank Best of the Living Church of God officiating. Burial will take place in Bermuda at a later date. In lieu of gifts or flowers and in remembrance of Ralph, the family would like people to pass on an act of kindness.
