Obituary of Msgr. George W. Martin

Rev. Msgr. George William Martin died early Monday morning, March 2, 2009, at the St. John Regional Hospital after a period of failing health. Msgr. Martin was born on September 21, 1924 in Chatham, NB, one of nine children of the late John Stephen and Mary Florence (Cassidy) Martin. He received his early schooling in Chatham. In 1937 he began an association with St. Thomas University which continued for part of seven decades. After junior high school, high school and university studies at St. Thomas University (BA, Magna Cum Laude, 1945), he began studying for the priesthood at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax, NS. He was ordained in St. Michael's Basilica, Chatham, on May 8, 1949 for the Diocese of Bathurst. He was assigned to the teaching staff of St. Thomas University and remained on the faculty and later administration of St. Thomas until 1990 serving as a Professor, Registrar, Vice President and finally President (1975-1990). He also pursued Post Graduate studies at the University of Laval and Fordham University. In 1980 He was awarded Honourary Doctorate Degrees by St. Francis University, St. Thomas University, and the University of New Brunswick. Throughout all his years at St. Thomas and as long as his health permitted, he made himself available for weekend ministry serving in many of the parishes in all regions of the Diocese of Saint John of which he became a priest in 1959 when the Miramichi region became a part of the Diocese of Saint John. In 1975 he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Saint John by the late Bishop Arthur J. Gilbert. He continued to serve as a Vicar General of the Diocese under Bishop J. Edward Troy and Bishop J. Faber MacDonald until 2006 when he was granted the title of Vicar General Emeritus by Bishop MacDonald. After the retirement of Bishop Troy in September 1997, he was elected Administrator of the Diocese by the College of Consultors. He served as Diocesan Administrator until January 1999 when Bishop MacDonald was installed. In 1985 he was named a Prelate of Honour with the title of Monsignor by the late Pope John Paul II. After retiring from the presidency of St. Thomas University in 1990 he moved to Saint John to work full time in the Diocesan Offices. He continued to maintain a presence in the Diocesan Centre until several months ago when his health no longer permitted it. During those years he also assisted in a number of parishes including St. Ann's Parish and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where he has resided for many years. For the past several years he also celebrated daily Mass for St. Vincent's Convent. He has served as a member of virtually every committee and body associated with both St. Thomas University and the Diocese of Saint John and many other civic, academic and ecclesiastical bodies over the years. He was a humble man of simple tastes, a good, holy and faithful priest, and a life long learner and academic. His life touched many people deeply. Msgr. Martin is survived by his sister Anna McKendy of Ottawa, sister-in-law Lois Martin (late Robert), Miramichi. He was predeceased by his siblings Mary Catherine, John David, Mary Edith, Francis, Sister Marion Elizabeth, SCIC, Catherine Helen and Joseph Robert. He will be waked in his residence, the Cathedral Rectory, 91 Waterloo Street, Saint John on Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. His body will be translated to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Solemn Vespers on Thursday at 7:00 pm. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday at 12:05 pm. His body will then be taken to Miramichi where it will rest at Maher's Funeral Home, 35 University Avenue, Miramichi on Friday from 7:00 -9:00 pm. A funeral Mass will also be celebrated at St. Michael's Basilica on Saturday at eleven o'clock. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, in the spring.