Obituary of Lawrence David Martin, Jr.

 

Lawrence David Martin Jr., age 83, of The Villages, FL passed away on Friday August 3, 2018 after a

brief battle with cancer. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 8, 1935 to Lawrence and Mary Martin.

He attended Northeast Catholic High School before earning a Mechanical Engineering degree from

Drexel University. When Larry was 17, he met Rosemary Ferry who he married in 1956. They settled in

Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ where they raised four exceptional (keep in mind who is writing this) children. Larry spent

several years working in computer sales, but being a man with an active and creative mind, he felt

confined by the structure of the corporate world. Like a Millennial before his time, he left his lucrative

position and embarked on the uncertain road of self-employment. He became a true entrepreneur,

spending the rest of his career creating various businesses wherever he saw an unfilled niche. For

several years he delivered restaurant-quality meat and poultry to customers’ homes through his Meat at

Your Place business. Later he started Garden State Hot Tubs where he put his engineering skills and

creativity to good use designing and building decks, renovating homes, and installing redwood hot tubs.

His customers appreciated his unique and often revolutionary designs. A skilled craftsman, he renovated

and improved every home he ever owned as well as those of some of his children. When not working or

relaxing at his summer home on Long Beach Island, Larry enjoyed volunteering his time and services for

many organizations, most notably The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a summer camp for children with

serious illnesses in Ashford, CT. His enthusiasm for the camp was infectious. To this day, his children

and grandchildren carry on the tradition of volunteering at, working for, or fundraising for the camp.

In 1999 Larry and Rosemary retired to The Villages where they met many wonderful friends with whom

they traveled the world on over 30 cruises. Still having a passion for service, Larry became very involved

with Sertoma, an organization devoted to improving the lives of the hearing-impaired. Larry saw his

popularity with his neighbors spike when he became a masterful bread baker. No social event was

complete without a freshly baked loaf of “Pop’s bread”. When not traveling, volunteering or baking, Larry

enjoyed water volleyball, playing cards, crossword puzzles, talking endlessly about food and restaurants,

and mostly just spending time with Rosemary. To celebrate his 80th birthday, he went skydiving for the

first time with several family members.

 

Larry is survived by daughters Jill (Chris) Stavrakos and Dawne (Bob) Litterst; sons Larry (Sue) Martin

and Greg Martin; sister Carol Dooley; sisters-in-law Rita (Ed) Weindel and Candy Ferry; and brother-in-law James (Dorothy) Ferry as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Rosemary;  sister Mary Jane McMonagle; brothers-in-law Bill McMonagle, Tom Dooley, Michael Ferry and Jack Ferry. “Pop” will be missed by his eight grandchildren

CJ, Mike and Tim Stavrakos, Rob, Jack and Jeff Litterst, Andie Martin and Clay Martin.

 

Larry will be remembered for his quick wit, sarcasm, sense of humor, and passion for charitable giving as

well as the pleasure he took in debating anyone who disagreed with his strong opinions, and his disdain

for improper grammar and poor table manners among other things. He was an unapologetic patriot and

faithful supporter of the military, veterans and first responders. He will mostly be remembered for the

adoration he had for his beloved Rosemary and the incredible care he gave her during her long period of

declining health.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at http://getinvolved.holeinthewallgang.org/tribute .  Arrangements entrusted with HIERS-BAXLEY FUNERAL SERVICES-The Villages.  Sentiments may be left online at www.hiers-baxley.com.