Jack Martin

Jack Martin

It is with profound shock and sadness that we share the unexpected death of John Francis (Jack) Martin, on Sunday, Sept. 29th at Albany Medical Center in the company of his loving family.  Jack was born in Brooklyn on April 26th 1952 to the late Francis (Frank) and Joan (Kenney) Martin.

While his family and friends are devastated by his sudden death, we are thankful for sharing his life.   Jack was a larger-than-life figure, able to make everyone around him laugh and love life just a little bit more.  He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, community, and the children who rode his school bus each morning and afternoon.

Jack is survived by his wife, Mary, children Meaghan (Michael), John and Liam, his grandchildren Emmeline and Etta Pearl and soon-to-be-born Timothy Francis, sisters Patti (Moose), Doreen (Billy) and brother Matthew (Rena), nephews James and Max and niece Rhiane.  His in-laws are Bill (Patty), Tom (Kim) and Patty (Tom) and his nieces and nephews Carolyn, William, Matthew, and Andrew; Devon and Grant; and Coley and Donovan.

He was predeceased by his sister JoAnn Martin MacDougall, niece Olivia MacDougall, and his beloved dog Wilson.

Jack and Mary were married on Long Island, NY and after having Meaghan, John, and Liam, moved to Albany.  Jack worked for Verizon for many years, and after retiring found his calling as a trusted school bus driver.  He took the lives and safety of the children entrusted to his care very seriously.  He loved children and entertaining people, and was blessed to have a captive audience everyday to share his zest for life.  Jack was an avid reader, with an incredible memory for facts and history and had an inexhaustible store of stories and jokes to share with everyone.  He was known for his gardening, his specialty was tomatoes, and he could be found many evenings by the fireside with his beloved Wilson.  The joy of his life was his love for his family; he was so proud of Mary and her musical abilities, and each of his children were a source of pride and joy.  He was so lucky in the last few years to have two small granddaughters to adore and shower with gifts and love, and he was always ready to pull out his phone and share the latest photos and videos.

Jack’s wake will be held at Cannon Funeral Home (2020 Central Ave, Colonie, NY 12205) on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 from 4-7 pm, followed immediately at 7 by a short memorial service.  The Funeral Procession will gather at the Niskayuna Fire District #2, 2772 Troy-Schenectady Rd. Niskayuna at 10:15 am on Friday morning. The burial will be held at Saratoga National Cemetery (Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery), 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY at 11:30 am, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.