Obituary of John Kay Martin

A Thank you Message

 

In Memory of John Kay Martin

You have lightened the load and you have eased the burden. Thank you for your love, prayers, kindness and support. Whether it was with a beautiful sympathy card, a heartfelt text or an email message expressing your condolences, you have deeply touched our hearts. The many Mass cards, the abundance of food sent (that was enjoyed by our large family), your visits to our homes, your presence at the funeral home, and your visits and stories shared at John Kay’s office have shown us all how much his kindness and generosity have touched the lives so many.

Your generous donations to Saint Joseph’s Academy were so greatly appreciated. It was a school he supported for over 30 years, where both his children and grandchildren attended, and of which he was so proud.

Thank you to John Kay’s many loyal customers at Skoke and Martin Insurance. All of you were truly so important to him, he appreciated you and was honored to serve you. He loved his work because he loved the people he served.

To those in the hockey world who enjoyed playing and watching the game with him, thank you. He spent countless hours in the rinks in our community and our province. His love of the game was apparent to all those who knew him.

To the many Doctors, Nurses and Health Care Providers who cared for him over the past three years, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will be forever grateful for your kindness and care. We only hope that you will always remember his quick wit, pleasant smile, and gentle acceptance of his illness.

Our gratitude extends to Father Peter MacDonald, Father Barrett Clare-Johnston, Peter MacDonald and the staff at P&K Funeral Home who have graciously helped us in our time of sorrow.

Thank you to everyone, your sincere thoughtfulness has been a tribute to the life and memory of John Kay, a husband, father, grandfather and true friend to all. We are so very proud to call him “ours”.

 

May God Bless you all,

The Martin family

Margaret Martin, Johnna & Ross MacKenzie, Alexka & Kevin Mason, Marla & Trevor Fitt, Joseph & Tammy Martin, Monica & Tom McArthur, Therese & Steven Dee and all 25 grandchildren.

 

“As we cry a river of tears for his earthly parting we know, with fervent faith, his reward will be great in Heaven….until we are all together again”

 

 

STELLARTON - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, and grandfather, John Kay Martin. He passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 surrounded by his wife, six children, spouses, and grandchildren.

Born in New Glasgow, he was the son of the late Irene (Moffatt) and Earl Martin. He was raised in Stellarton, where he resided for his entire life, with his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Margaret (Skoke). For 50 years he owned and operated Skoke & Martin Insurance. He was a hard worker and took great pride in his successful business, which was built on a foundation of honesty and integrity. He was trusted and respected by his many loyal customers.

He had a heart of gold and his generosity knew no limits. It brought him great joy to give selflessly whenever he saw a need. He had a quick wit and gentle nature, to know him was to love him. He fought courageously during his three-year illness. His will to live was incredible, defying all medical odds.

He was loved beyond measure by his family and will never be forgotten. His example of selfless love and loyalty to his family was evident to all who knew him. We were truly blessed to have called him "ours". He loved his 25 grandchildren with a passion, they were his pride and joy. He took great joy in their successes and loved each of them with his whole heart.

John Kay loved life. Hockey was a big part of his life. He loved the game and was known throughout the county as a true hockey fan. He was himself a great player, and continued to play the game into his late 50's. He passed on his love of the game to his children and grandchildren. Through his life, he supported them in every way with his constant presence at the rink over the past 17 years, making it possible for them to achieve great success in the game. He was their biggest fan.

Surviving are his loving wife of 48 years, Margaret (Skoke); his children, Johnna (Ross) MacKenzie, Alexka (Kevin) Mason, Marla (Trevor) Fitt, Joseph (Tammy) Martin, Monica (Tom) McArthur and Therese (Steven) Dee; his grandchildren, “his pride and joy”, Isabelle, Abigail, Dominic and Nicholas MacKenzie; Annika, John Kevin, Jaden, Joseph and Lucia Mason; Alyssa, Olivia, Ella and Noah Fitt; Hayley, John-Kay and Ada Martin; Martin, Xavier, Ana, Isaac, Gretta and Katia McArthur; Emma, Jacob and Oliver Dee; sister, Earla (Stan) Mayich; brothers, Owen (Carol) and Cecil (Kenda); mother and father-in-law, Alex and Betty Skoke; sisters-in-law, Roseanne Skoke, Veronica (Chris) MacFarlane, Violet (Robert) Little, Elizabeth (Bill) Coleman and Patty Skoke; brothers-in-law, Pacelli Skoke, Alex Skoke and Paul Fortin; numerous Martin and Skoke nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Ernie and Theresa Martin; his sister-in-law, Kathryn Skoke Fortin; nieces, Kateri Skoke, Pamela and Amanda Mayich.

The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, ER, Medical Day, Physio, ICU Units, and 4th Floor, who provided him with such great care over the course of his illness. Special thanks to Dr. Ufoundo, Heather, Dr. O'Sullivan, Dr. Mason, and Dr. Kokkiligadda, who all went above and beyond. We can only hope that he has touched your lives as you have all touched his and ours.

Public visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2021 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Stellarton with Father Barret Clare-Johnson and Father Peter MacDonald presiding. Interment will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Stellarton.

Donations in John Kay's memory may be made to Saint Joseph's Academy, P.O. Box 617, Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0.

 

Lovingly written by his beloved family.