Robert Martin

Robert J. "Bob" Martin, 85 years old, went home to his Lord and Saviour on July 7, 2013. "Bobby" was born on January 9, 1928 to Joseph Aloysius and Anna Wyatt Martin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They and his two older brothers, Joseph and John, predeceased him. He was a beautiful baby with his curly dark hair and piercing green eyes. He was so cute that his picture was entered into a contest in the Ladies' Home Journal magazine in 1929. His Mother thought nothing was too good for her baby boy, Bobby. She went as far as peeling his grapes for him. The "prince" had no discomforts in his young life! Just like most young Catholic boys at the time, he became an altar boy and served at Immaculate Conception Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1946 and proudly served his country through September, 1951 when he was honorably discharged. Until his dying day, he was always proud to point out that "once a Marine, always a Marine". He was very patriotic and loved to display the American flag, even in the design and colors of his favorite suspenders. It upset him terribly if the flag was not respected and hung correctly. He had a whirlwind romance with Carolyn Gattone. On September 6, 1952, "cinnamon roll" married his "cupcake". In 1954, Bob and Carol purchased their first house in Levittown, Pennsylvania. The going price at that time for a brand new house was $9,000. In recent months, after his grandson, Jeff, bought HIS first house, he marveled at the difference in price since then. He was employed as a machinist at Standard Pressed Steel in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania until his retirement in 1990. He assisted in the processes of making nuts and bolts, some of which were used by NASA. His first child, Roseann, was born in 1954. She was a "Daddy's girl" even as his caregiver in his last 6 years. In 1957, his son was born. He has his Dad's first name as his own, but is known as Tony. Bob and Carol did most of their socializing with their neighbors and close extended family. They hosted many get-togethers throughout their years in Levittown. Bob retired in 1990. He and Carol packed up, said their goodbyes, and moved to Grand Island, Florida. He oversaw the operations of the water system for their housing development, Wedgewood. He loved to joke "Retirement is hard work. I have less time now than when I was employed full-time!" He became a deacon in his church Grand Island Baptist, where he had many friends, including his sister-in-law May, and his brother-in-law, Joe. They shared many happy times there. During their stay in Florida, their children who had now married and made them grandparents four times over, visited them quite often. The kids loved riding on Grandpop's mower with him! Always the jokester, he LOVED to tease his grandkids! His eyes would twinkle with joy every second he spent with them. He thoroughly enjoyed spoiling them! His greatest accomplishment was accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour while living in Florida. In the rough times he experienced with his health in the past year, he could draw on his faith for strength. Bob and Carol moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 2007 to be near their daughter and her family. It was a big change for them and they really missed their friends and family in Florida. Their final move was to Lakewood Village in February, 2009. Sadly, after four months of illness, Carol passed from this life on July 5, 2009. Bob continued living independently there. He loved to help out in the main dining area, filling the glasses with tea and water in preparation for each day's meals. He enjoyed helping "the old people" as he called them. His favorite friends in the dining hall were Paul and Gwen, or as he lovingly referred to as Brown Sugar. He loved harassing them! Bob had a heart of gold. He was very giving and would help in any way he could. Even with his own limited vision, he would help a totally blind resident cut her food up and fill out her menus. In the past few baseball seasons, Bob became an avid fan of the Texas Rangers. Among his treasures were a baseball autographed by Josh Hamilton, a Ron Washington t-shirt and a Nolan Ryan bobblehead. He loved to show them off and believed owning the Hamilton autograph made him a close personal friend of his. If anyone wanted to make Bob's day, they just had to say two words...Frank Sinatra. He had to be Sinatra's most avid fan, despite the fact Sinatra passed away a few years back. He knew every word of every song Sinatra ever sang. He found total joy in just sitting in his apartment and listening to Frank, big band and jazz artists. He loved to watch Dancing with the Stars, even endless reruns on the game show channel. His Monday evenings revolved around this show! In July of 2012, Bob experienced increased severe back pain due to fractured spinal column bones. After a brief hospital stay, he spent two months in rehab at Lakewood Village Health Care Center. Once again, he formed many friendships. He loved to encourage the other residents in therapy with him. EVERYBODY he came into contact with absolutely loved Bob. He had such charisma! In September, 2012, he moved to the assisted living wing. He resided there until the end of this past May when it was decided he needed extra attention. He loved being around people, especially when he was being given extra attention. He could always put a smile on the faces of his many caregivers. As his time on earth drew to a close, Bob was given an amazing gift by The Lord. Bob was told by Him that as Bob's body was wearing out and coming to an end, He was knitting together Bob's first great-grandchild. Bob knew he wouldn't last long enough to see this miracle come into this world. God however, decided to let Bob share in this joy even before anyone else knew of this child---including the baby's parents! As one life passes, a new one is born. God is so amazing and gracious! And so, Bob's soul left the shell of his broken body. He soared to his eternal home in Heaven where he fell into the arms of Jesus and was greeted by those who passed before him. His mansion had been prepared and the celebration began! He was sent off with much encouragement and love by his family as they surrounded him. The presence of The Lord was felt by everyone in his room at that time. Bob could never have imagined how it would feel to be pain-free and in the presence of his God, immediately in over-whelming, intense love. All those who knew and loved Bob will dearly miss him. All those who know and love his Lord can spend eternity with them both. How about you? If you would like to join the party in Heaven, ask Jesus to come into your heart and give you His free gift of salvation. Repent of your sins. Change your lifestyle. Start by reading His word--the Bible. It has every instruction you will ever need for every problem you will ever encounter. That's it---pretty simple. It is the most important and greatest decision you will ever make. Bob wants you to know Jesus. Honor the legacy of Bob by getting to know Jesus. Those he left in this world include his children, Roseann and Pete Kerwin, Tony and Gwen Martin, his beloved grandchildren, Melissa Kerwin, Jeffrey and Adria Kerwin, Jensina Martin, Jiana Martin, his great-grandbaby yet to be born, his sister-in-"love" May Onishchuck, his sister-in-law Rosemarie Gattone, many nieces and nephews and many friends. The family wishes to thank all those who cared for and loved Bob during his time lived in Lakewood Village. All have a gift and passion from The Lord for the elderly in their final journeys of this earthly life. Romans 3:23-24 NLT For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Jesus Christ when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. John 3:16 NLT For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Colossians 3:23-24 NLT Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for The Lord rather than for people. Remember that The Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the Master you are serving is Christ.