It’s taken me a long time to do this. Why? Because how do you relate your feelings about a person, friend and colleague that you saw, talked, wept, sang and laughed with for over 30yr. I knew whatever I put down in words it wouldn’t be adequate and certainly wouldn’t do him justice.
In all the time I was fortunate to know him, I remember Martin as one of the most confident and competent engineers I have ever met. Such a gifted inventor with so much more to give from a brain that just never stopped.
We spent some very happy, fun ‘working years’ together particularly in the beginning, building an ICA department to be proud of. Digging our way ‘into’ work in the snow because we all enjoyed the job we did and people we did it with. Laughing till we ached at escapades, in the various workshops.
I remember asking Martin if I could put him forward for a company award and he said yes as a joke, he and I never thought any more about it. He was gutted when he won, giving the prize money to charities, saying he was just doing his job, much to our amusement. He then went on to win the overall company competition much to his disgust and had to receive yet another framed award and monies (which he give away to charities again). He hated those awards, so of course we bonded them to the workshop wall out of his reach, so everyone could see them. These work years were followed by fantastic fun years as fellow ‘Tenor Men’ in the choir, where we misbehaved at the back on many occasions, apparently!
I know that Martin had up’s and downs in his life but he was always confident in his own choices, right or wrong, he got on with life, sorting things his way. He was ‘his own man’. It was after his first illness that he ‘hood winked’ me into the choir, something for which I will be forever grateful. We had many an odd look from colleagues whilst in the workshop, or whilst driving over the phones in the vans (don’t tell) practicing the harmonies, at full volume of course. He use to say singing was the cheapest therapy you could get.
Martin’s love and support for his whole family was something you could tangibly feel. He was the sort of person that never boasted about his kids or grand children he was just quietly and immensly proud of them and they were paramount in his thoughts.
It was obvious to all, especially those at the choir, that Martin always gave all of himself, whether it was through his friendship to new members, his love of organising and attending the Manor Trips, or his general enthusiasm for singing with his ‘choir family’.
Martin could frustrate you till you wanted to scream, (not that he would hear you, as he had his hands over his ears, ICA insider joke ). I think we were both alike in that sometimes, but he would not hesitate to commit 200% to help you whenever you needed it. In later years Martin and myself began to talk a lot more about situations in our lives, we tried to help each other just by listening and sometimes giving each other advice, which we both seldom took. But we made each other stop and think a little, about decisions we made and paths we went down. It refreshing to have someone to be able to talk to like that and for that I am so grateful.
Martin was and is a proud dad and grandad, Engineer, singer, friend, sometimes obstinate bugger, often outspoken, lightweight drinker, cigarette machine wrecker and always there for you if you needed help.
Just an all around good bloke, friend and mate.
I’m going to miss him.
Cheers Martin.