James Charles Martin, 86, of High Street, Housatonic, peacefully passed away Sept. 20, 2018, at home on after a short illness surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 22, 1932, in Great Barrington. He married Joanne A. (Olender) Martin June 8, 1957, at All Saints Roman Catholic Church in Housatonic. His greatest blessing was his family. He was also devoted to his Roman Catholic faith, serving as lector at All Saints Catholic Church as well as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish at Corpus Christi Church. He was a member of the All Saints Roman Catholic Church men’s group, and was chairman of the church’s Polish picnics for many years.
Jim enjoyed polka music and dancing, Polish and German food, photography, tag sales, model railroading, music, history, travel, and projects around the house, as well as fishing and hunting with his sons. He enjoyed his friends and pets, welcomed his sons-in-law as true members of his family, and adored his grandchildren. Growing up, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and worked on the railroad in Housatonic and at Stockbridge Golf Club as a teenager. He was a graduate of Searles High School in the class of 1950. He briefly worked in Monument Mills in Housatonic and then enrolled in an apprenticeship program to become a draftsman at General Electric’s Naval Ordnance Department in Pittsfield.
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 as a private first class, was promoted to specialist third class in 1955, and was honorably discharged in 1956. He was assigned to the 499th Engineer Battalion in Germany and was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, Germany; the Good Conduct Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. Following active military duty, he enrolled at University of Massachusetts in Amherst in the mechanical engineering program. He completed his college schooling through course work from Union College and North Adams State College, earning degrees in physics and electrical engineering. He had a long career as a systems engineer at General Electric Ordnance Systems in Pittsfield, working on fire (launch) control systems for submarine-based fleet ballistic missiles and retired in 1992.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joanne A. (Olender) Martin; six children: Karen (Martin) Weiderpass and husband Valdi Weiderpass, Michael Martin, David Martin, Paul Martin, Barbara Martin, and Tanya (Martin) Furey and husband Brian Furey; four grandchildren: Krista Weiderpass, Erik Weiderpass, Brian Furey and Aidan Furey; his brother Thomas Martin; and nephews Thomas Martin, James Martin and Jeffrey Martin. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Martin and Sadie (Boldyga) Martin; sister Joan Martin; great-nephew Jeffrey Martin; and sister in-law Barbara Martin.
Funeral services for James C. Martin will be held Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish at Corpus Christi Church with Rev. William P. Murphy, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Bridget’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial expressions of sympathy be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or to the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish Improvement Fund. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
