Richard Martin

Richard Jolley “Dick” Martin, age 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife Mary Catherine and family on September 16, 2022. Dick was born in St. Louis, MO, on May 14, 1924, the second of six children of Joseph Oliver and Mabel Jolley Martin. He married his best friend Mary on May 7, 1949, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in St. Louis. They treasured their 73 wonderful years together and cherished a memorable 70^th Anniversary celebration with their entire family in 2019.

Dick attended McBride High School in St. Louis where he contemplated a religious vocation with the Marianist Order. Later, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1949 after proudly serving in World War II. Dick entered the U.S. Army in 1943, serving in Europe with the 224^th Field Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery for the remaining months of World War II, then completing special assignments in Grenoble and Paris, France, until honorable discharge in May 1946. Among his war stories, his viewing of the concentration camp at Nordhausen, Germany, was the most moving. While in the service, he earned the World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and two Overseas Bars.

In May 1949, Dick joined General Electric on their Engineering Training Program and accepted a position in Erie, PA, in 1951. After a 35-year career in Engineering Administration and Purchasing in the Land Transportation Business, he retired from GE at the end of 1984. Upon retirement, Dick was one of the twelve founding members of the GEER Organization (General Electric Exempt Retirees) in 1985. Dick served as Travel Chairman for many years, and he and his wife organized and conducted more than 150 trips in the U.S. and many countries of the world for GEER members and friends, naming the Mediterranean Cruise as their favorite trip.

Dick’s Catholic faith was paramount in his life. He was an active member of St. George Catholic Church where he served in many capacities over the years. As a longtime member of the parish, Dick chaired many fundraising committees and served as President of the Men’s Council, President of the Parish Council, and a member of the Building Committee that oversaw the construction of the new church in 1959. He was a lector, a Eucharistic minister, and an usher at Mass for many years. Dick was a life member of the Knights of Columbus and an active member of the SERRA Club of Erie from the time it was chartered in 1960. He held the position of SERRA Club President and served as the Club Secretary for over twenty years, maintaining his involvements in the group until his death.

Always the outgoing conversationalist, Dick was a friend to everyone he met. His generosity and humble spirit brought joy to the lives of others. Spending time in his presence undoubtedly left people smiling and feeling loved. Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed cheering on his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. There was no one he enjoyed cheering on more, though, than his family. Whether sitting around the dining room table sharing laughs or traveling around the world together, Dick was so proud and supportive of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who will be forever grateful for his loving, Christian example of a life well-lived.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Joseph and John, his sisters Alice Maurer and Mary Bommarito, and his great-granddaughter Margaret Lucy Martin. He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Catherine (Gerard) Miele of Erie, his son Richard (Janet) Martin of St. Louis, MO, his son Thomas (Karen) Martin of Erie, and his son James (Sharon) Martin of Holly Springs, NC, and eleven grandchildren: Michael Miele and Kelly Miele of Erie; James (Megan) Martin of St. Louis; Thomas Martin of Dallas, TX; John Martin, David Martin, and Mary Catherine Martin of St. Louis; Mary Elizabeth Martin and Joseph Martin of Erie; Andrew (Christine) Martin of Holly Springs and Alyssa (Colin) Regan of Wake Forest, NC; and six great-grandchildren: James, Anna, Molly, Matthew, and Charles Martin of St. Louis and Connor Martin of Holly Springs. He is also survived by his sister Sr. Reine Marie (Jane) Martin, RSM of St. Louis; sisters-in-law Bridget Martin and Elizabeth Eissler, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many healthcare workers and caregivers who assisted Dick throughout his later years.

Friends may call at the Quinn Funeral Home, West 9^th & Liberty St. on Monday, September 19, 2022 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Tuesday at 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM in St. George Catholic Church Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to St. George Church, 5145 Peach St., Erie, PA 16509 or to Mercyhurst Preparatory School, 538 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504.

Condolences can be sent to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com