With heartfelt sorrow we announce the peaceful death of Hank Martin on December 10, 2009, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, An Cala, Palliative Care Unit.
Although our hearts are broken it is with profound gratitude and thanksgiving that we return to God the soul of our beloved husband and father.
Born in New Waterford on March 31, 1931, he was the eldest child of the late Anthony and Margaret (Young) Martin.
July 31, 1951 was one of his happiest days when he married his life long love, Bernice (Bunny) Nicholson. He always said family was his greatest blessing and together his and mom’s lives were blessed with 14 children. Together we filled our home on Olive Street with an abundance of love, joy and laughter and you could always find dad and his faithful dog, Masie, in the middle of many a family reunion.
Dad is survived by 12 of his children, Rick (Pauline), Tony (Suzanne), Sharon (Brian) MacDougall, Mary (Jim), Lorrie (Leroy) Hodder, Ronnie (Gail), Susie (Tim) Head, Margie Marsh, Wanda Doyle, Lynn (Derrick) Fitzgerald, Jamie (Heather), and his baby girl, Kelly.
He was fondly known as poppy to his 38 grandchildren, Cara, Laura, Aaron, Meghan, Lauren, Kathie Ann, Chrissy, Marc, Angela, Shelley, Mallory, Valerie, Suzanne, Corey, Martin, Brittany, John Todd, Mitchell, Brendan, Paul, Joshua, Frances, Rachael, Bethany, Nicky, Nadine, Tim, Stephen, Stephanie, Savannah, Tony, Daniel, Artie, Samantha, Kaleigh, Connor, Hope and Destin. He was lovingly known as big poppy to his 10 great-grandchildren, Angus, Nailah, Malika, Hailey, Kristopher, Alex, Brittany, Madison, Nicole, and Callie. He is also survived by his loving sisters, Betty Baldwin, Doreen (Chris) Kelly, Mary Durham, Bernice (Mary Ann) Martin and his special little brother and friend Mikey (Janice). Also surviving him is his son-in-law Ash Jaffer and his sister-in-law Bette Martin and many special nieces and nephews, two of whom brought many moments of joy to him namely Carrie and Clarency (Cheryl). He is also survived by a very special family friend, Sharon (Burly).
Our husband and father was a man of tremendous faith who believed in the goodness of mankind and as a result committed his life work to the service of others through his kinship with Bill W. He was a man of profound wisdom who was not only a mentor and confident to us his family but to many, many others (you know who you are). Hank spent 40 years of his life as a miner with the last 10 as the manager of Lingan Mine. He was also an active member of several mine rescue teams.
After retirement he reluctantly took up the game of golf which became one of his greatest passions because it gave him another opportunity to embrace a whole new circle of friends.
From the time dad was a young man he enjoyed playing sports, especially baseball and hockey. He was a lifelong faithful supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Go Leafs Go!) and locally you could always hear from Section 21, Row D, Seat 6 the heartfelt support of one the Screaming Eagles biggest fans.
Although Hank’s life was filled with many rich blessings he lived with a deep sorrow over the death of two of his loving children David (April, 2002), and Judy (July, 2009). Both of these events left a tremendous emptiness in all of our lives. He was also predeceased by his brother, Willie (January, 2007); two sisters in infancy, Margaret and Bridget and by his in-laws, Stella (1986) and Rory (1974).
Visitation will take place at the V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 7–9 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 from 2–4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford, with Fr. Paul MacNeil officiating. A time of fellowship will follow at Saint Agnes Parish Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford. A private family committal service will take place at St. Agnes Cemetery.
We sincerely thank the wonderful people of An Cala for their compassion and support and as an expression of sympathy we request a donation in dad’s memory to this very special worthwhile and necessary facility.
Online condolences can be sent to www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
“God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
Eternal rest grant unto him. Welcome home good and faithful servant.
“We’ll love you forever,
We’ll like you for always,
As long as we’re living
Our Daddy you’ll be.”

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