Obituary of Thomas Martin

Martin, Thomas J. ALBANY Thomas Joseph Martin, 62, passed peacefully into eternal life in the comfort and warmth of his family at home on January 4, 2009. He was predeceased by his brother, mother and father; Andrew, Ellen and Stephen Martin of Newfoundland, Canada. Born May 29, 1946, in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Thomas grew up in the village of Freshwater, the fourth of seven children, in a very close Irish-Catholic family. He first came to the United States in 1976 on a two week vacation to visit his family; where he met, fell in love and married lifelong Albany resident Joyce (Vogel), and remained in the Capital Region to raise three beloved sons, T.J., Andy and David. Thomas was well known for his love of family, compassion, reliability, humor, ability to fix anything, strong work ethic and extreme devotion to his employment at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany where he worked for over 20 years as a stationary engineer in the boiler house and on the maintenance staff later in his career. The epitome of a family man, he was most contented spending time outdoors with his loved ones camping, hunting, fishing, walking, ice skating, playing pond hockey or just working outside around the house. Family was the most important thing in his life, and he never hesitated to express how much he loved them. He was the source of strength and humor for any family event and found it all too easy to put a beaming grin on the face of anyone he met. Thomas was always at your side if you should have ever needed anything. He loved listening and singing along to Newfoundland, Irish and country songs and his favorite country artist was George Jones. He also enjoyed watching professional ice hockey, boxing and attending his sons' athletic and school events. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Joyce; grateful sons, T.J., Andy, David; proud sisters, Maryanne Vogel (Bob), Carmella Rivers, Helen Premdas (Ray), Geraldine Yeager (Steve), and Doreen Sumbles; daughter-in-law, Marianna Martin; his seven month old grandson, Christian Henry Martin; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Dr. Patrick Caufield, Dr. Earl Zimmerman, St. Peter's Hospice, Carol, Joe, Pam, Joel and Danielle. Funeral services Thursday at 10:00 a.m. from the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, thence to Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany at 10:30 a.m. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Wednesday, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow the Mass in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. The family has requested that those who wish to remember Thomas, make memorial contributions to the Albany Medical Center Alzheimers Center for ALS and Dementia Research, 43 New Scotland Avenue - MC 119, Albany, NY 12208-3478.