James Richard Martin, 75, passed away on October 24, 2017at the QEII Infirmary in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Born on February 16, 1942 in Toronto, ON to James and Illean Martin, Jim grew up in Newmarket, ON. He enrolled in the Canadian Military in 1967 and served for 27 years. During this time he was stationed at various military bases throughout Canada, with the majority of his career being spent in C.F.B. Greenwood, NS where his children were raised. He retired in Shelburne, NS in 1996 and remained in the area for the next 20 years where he enjoyed tending the gardens at Roseway Hospital and assisting others with shopping trips and hospital visits.

He was preceded in death by his partner, Barbara Balkam, of Shelburne, NS in 2015 and moved to Dartmouth, NS in October 2016 to be closer to immediate family and medical care. Jim lived at Parkland by the Lakes Phase 2 and made numerous friends among the residents and staff of Kinsac Hall. He could often be found sitting in his favorite chair in the lobby and always had a smile and a story for anyone who cared to stop and chat. He will be dearly missed by all who had the joy of knowing him.

Jim is survived by his son, Troy Martin of Lakelands, Florida, daughter Richelle and son-in-law Russell Gregg of Timberlea, NS, his brother Ronald Martin of Omemee, ON; his sisters, Judy LaVigne of Belle Ewart, ON and Sharron Martin of Newmarket, ON and his extended south shore family including Barb Balkam’s sister, Mabel Blades, nieces Tiffany Hersey and Barbie Blades of Shelburne NS, Kim Blades of Waterville, NS and Christina May of Brighton, ON and family friend Linda Mullins who was always there for both Jim and Barb throughout the years.

An internment service was held for family and friends at Park Dale Cemetery in Port La Tour, NS at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017.