John Baptiste Martin
Dan McClelland
John Baptiste Martin passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on November 28, 2018 at the Veterans Home of Paramus New Jersey where he had been residing for the past several years.
John was born in Tupper Lake on March 6, 1931.
He graduated from the Holy Ghost Academy and attended Ryder College in Trenton, New Jersey. He then served two years in the U.S. Army.
John, the son of Henry and Bernadette Martin of Tupper Lake, was predeceased by his wife Bernadine Kulehlman Martin and his brother, Edward A. Martin. John is survived by his sister, Theresa M. Beausoleil, and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
John’s fondest memories were growing up and spending time in and on Tupper Lake fishing, hunting, skiing and brewing up his special batch of glug that made any winter campfire all that more memorable.
John would often comment, while visiting later in life, on what a truly a magical place Tupper Lake was to reunite with friends and family.
John spent a great many years in Chicago and knew every great restaurant in town and at one time managed his own bar and restaurant, Martini’s, in the 1970’s.
John was very active in the Chicago real estate market for nearly 30 years before relocating to Warren, Illinois, where he and his wife Bernadine opened the White House Bed and Breakfast.
John was always a great addition to any party and his signature laugh will missed by all who knew him. John often commented to visitors these departing words at the veterans' home… “Live it up”. We all should find the time to heed these words through all the struggles, uncertainty, setbacks and challenges that daily life throws at us as the time we have on this earth is limited. Rest in peace John! You will be missed.
A special thanks to the staff at the Paramus Veterans Home for the clean, comfortable, engaging and quality care they provided to John and the thousands others like him throughout the country that receive the same great care every day. A burial, for family and friends, will be planned for next spring or summer.