Obituary of Robert E. Martin

Robert E. “Bobby” Martin 79 of Poughkeepsie New York died July 8, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Born in Poughkeepsie on April 30, 1932, he was the son of the late Edward and the late Helen Brundage Martin. Bobby was a graduate of Arlington High School the class of 1950. During his four years of high school, Bobby played baseball and basketball under his coach and mentor Fritz Jordan and while playing sports always wore the # 7. Bobby went on to college and attended St. Lawrence College from 1950 to 1951 and also went to Dakota Weslyn from 1952 to 1953. On August 20, 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Valley he married Joyce Conklin. Bobby worked at Schatz Federal Bearing and later on went to work for the City of Poughkeepsie Recreation Department where he was the Director of Recreation for 28 years. Bobby was a founding member of the City of Poughkeepsie Pop Warner Football League, Class A Men’s Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, Inducted to the Dutchess County Sports Museum Hall of Fame in 1996. Bobby also played softball for Juan’s Refrigeration and Molts, was a coach for Juan’s and Schmalling Glass. He was an Umpire for the City of Poughkeepsie Little League and also a past coach. Bobby loved his Yankee’s, especially his hero Mickey Mantle and the NY Giants. He loved scatchoffs, casinos, eating at his favorite restaurants and City of Poughkeepsie Youth Sports. Bobby always said “It’s all about the kids and spending time with his family”. In 2009, Mayor John Tkayzik renamed Spratt Park “The Bobby Martin Sports Complex at Spratt’, in honor of his devotion to his job and love for baseball and the City Youth. He was also a past Honoree of the City of Poughkeepsie Fathers Day Parade. Bobby is survived at home by his wife, Joyce Martin, his son Douglas Martin of Poughkeepsie, daughter Kim Stickle of Poughkeepsie, daughters and son in-laws, Kelly and Leonard Murphy of Poughkeepsie and Tami and Daniel Sherwood of Poughquag. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Robert Stickle, Nicole Murphy, Jonnelly, Zachary and Jancy Sherwood. Bobby was predeceased by his son in-law Irving R. Stickle in 2007. Visitation will be held Tuesday July 12, 2011 from 4pm to 8pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie New York. Funeral Services will be held 10am Wednesday July 13, 2011 at the Faith Assembly of God Spackenkill Road. Burial will follow at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. If you would like to sign the guestbook, please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com