Cecil Martin

Martin, Cecil

Cecil A. Martin “Cec” passed away peacefully at his residence at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, London Ont. on February 16, 2026, aged 91 years, 4 months, and 5 days. Cecil was born October 11th 1934 at Stayner Ont. to John and Vera Martin. He was the 7th of 8 children.

Husband to the late Jeannette(McNaughton), father of Steven (Laura) of London. Brother to Verna Scarlet(Bruce) of Brampton. Predeceased by siblings: Margaret(Tom), Gerty, Norman, Jim(Lucy), Ed(Bernice), Harvey(Joan, Annette).

Also important in his life were his McNaughton brother and sister in laws. Survived by: Catherine(Bill), Sharon(Randy), Connie(Roger). Predeceased by: Barbara(Byron), Shirley(Dave), Ron(Linda), Ken(Susan), and David(Goldie).

He was also very fond of his many nieces and nephews.

Dad was born into a typical 1930’s Canadian farm. Many siblings, crops in the summer, timber in the winter, and a mix of animals that included a very belligerent billy goat. Childhood included 5 mile wintry walks to school unless ‘the boy’s’ were able to grab a ride on the back of a neighbour’s truck.

Youth is a time of sport. Three of dad’s older brothers formed a formidable forward line on a local hockey team but dad’s skills leaned to baseball. Not just any position but pitcher, the key man. In fact he was pitcher on two teams at the same time, with full time school with a part time job at the post office.

Unfortunately, the early 1950’s isn’t all sunshine and at 18 he contracted tuberculosis. Exactly two years were spent in pyjamas, playing bridge, convalescing in ‘The San’ at Gravenhurst. Every Friday night dinner was sauerkraut and wieners. He never ever ate sauerkraut again.

His brothers were skilled tradesmen, while Cecil’s skill’s ran to numbers. After graduation from business college in bookkeeping, he set off to work for ten years at St. Lawrence Cement in Oakville. Along the way a young McNaughton girl caught his eye, or, maybe it was the other way around. The long and short of it was that Jeannie and Cecil were married in 1961. Son Steven came along in ’64 and soon the young family set off down the new highway 401 in a V8 Chev, no seat belts,30 cent a gallon gas to new opportunities in London. I admire the daring to quit your job, move to an unknown town, baby in tow. Wow, the 60’s.

He soon had a job as manager of the London Civic Employees Credit Union. When he started the office was a converted broom closet in the city hall annex, with a cash box in the desk. When he retired almost 30 years later it was a vibrant operation in a standalone building full of coworkers and thousands of members.

The family bought and moved into the Herkimer St. house on Dominion day, July 1 1967. The 70’s included vacations and coaching Steve’s baseball team. The 80’s had many theatre and music shows with mum. Cec’s well earned retirement came in 1994. His coworkers had his timeless 30 pound adding machine gold plated as a humorous send off gift. Winter months were then spent walking on sandy beaches down south, making friends, playing bocce, bowling and seashell collecting.

Time marches on and life changed again when mum passed away from a heart condition in 2010, in their 50th year of marriage. Despite this loss, his last 15 years were very good years. Good health made living in the house possible until age 87. Bowling, yard work and more than a few billiard games and some wonderful neighbours, helped make it happen.

When time came to move on, it was to nearby Grand Wood Park retirement residence and then last summer to Mount Hope. In both locations the various staff greatly assisted in adding quality to his life. Many thanks to all you folks.

We will miss his calm, quiet, courteous manor and his dry wit. So farewell to this wonderful gentleman. The best role model and father you could ask for, we love you and miss you.

A celebration of life will be held by family on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00pm at A. Millard George Reception Centre, 60 Ridout St. South, London. Please bring stories and share refreshments with us.

Cremation has taken place. Spring Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers please donate to any cause dear to your heart. Online condolences, memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com