Obituary: James "Ed" Martin

While working at Metlox Pottery in Manhattan Beach, he met the love of his life, Joyce. Together they spent the next 70 years loving, working, laughing, and arguing.

After losing all their savings on a "sure-thing" system for making big money at the horse track and two years in the Army in Germany, Joyce and Ed moved to Alaska and worked at Island Logging Company, a floating camp that did A-Frame logging which pulled trees down to the water to be rafted and tugged to the mill. It was anchored in many bays along the inside passage, primarily in DeGroff Bay. They lived at the floating camp for several years, where Ed worked as a logger and Joyce worked in the kitchen. Ed suffered from cold feet and was undoubtedly the first logger in Alaska to wear electric socks.

Eventually, with their son Marty needing to start school and the upcoming birth of their daughter Jamie, and in spite of finally having warm feet, Ed and Joyce moved to Sitka and opened Tri-Ways Marina. It was located between ANB harbor and Sitka Sound SeaFoods. In addition to usual marina activities, they repaired boat engines, sold sporting goods, and the first Whalers, Honda motorcycles, and Schwinn bikes in Sitka.

With the birth of their youngest son Mitchell, Ed and Joyce started a new business venture, a construction company that would champion affordable homes in Sitka, bringing the first modular home concept to town. Martin construction, which eventually became Martin Enterprises, became a successful family venture for more than 50 years.

One of Ed's joys was all the trips to Aleutkina Bay aboard his 36-foot Unflite, The Doo-Dah, named after a horse racing song. From its stern he landed a 52-pound King. He was never happier than when working on cars, and for the last 20 years, he restored numerous classic vehicles in his garages in Hood River, Ore. Ed's last words were, "I had an amazing life and am thankful for my family and their love."

Ed is survived by his wife, Joyce; his sister Muriel McElhaney; and his children Marty and Liza Martin, Jamie and John Licari, and Mitch and Jill Martin. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sydney and Cory Eubanks, Michelle and Scott Jones, Morgan and Mylan Bruno, Vince Licari, Jacob and Aayrn Licari, Xavier Martin, and Sofia Martin, and great-grandchildren Safaya Mann, Mason Martin, Joyce Bruno, and Athena Jones. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.