Irving Martin

Irving Martin, age 89, of Benton Harbor passed away March 14, 2002 at South Pointe Assisted Living in St. Joseph, MI. His loving wife Olva preceded him in death in January. A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, March 19, at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home in St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Fairplain Presbyterian Church or the Temple B?nai Shalom. He was born to Aaron and Bessie Sokrensky on December 25, 1912 in Chicago, IL in the back of a paddy wagon during a severe Chicago snowstorm. Max Martin later adopted him. Survivors include a daughter, Dr. Carol Ann Shaver and her husband George, and son, Dr. Larry J. Martin and his wife Joy, along with 4 grandchildren, Caroline and Edward Shaver and Thomas (Rachel) and Elizabeth Martin. Irving was a prominent area businessman and community servant with a love for his children and a great love of music. He had been the recipient of many community awards including Samaritan of the Year, the Interlochen scholarship and Department of Social Services Certificates of Merit. For years he was also an active promoter of the YMCA and participated in many other civic groups including Toastmaster international, Lions Club, Eagles, Moose and the Twin Cities “Barbershoppers”. His philosophy of life was that music builds the bridge of friendship and understanding between people of all age groups and circumstances. Martin was no stranger to music. Locally he played bass with the Twin Cities Symphony Orchestra as far back as 1949. While with the symphony he served as a member of the Symphonic Society?s Board of Directors. He started his bass studies as the principal bass player of the Chicago Civic Symphony, an understudy group for the Chicago Symphony. Later he played string bass with the Kalamazoo Symphony. At age 7 Martin played violin well enough to be on the radio. When Irving was not involved in orchestra performances, he provided music for residents of nursing homes throughout Southwestern Michigan. Providing favorite old songs printed in large type, he lead his audiences in sing-a-longs. Irving?s earlier music studies were interrupted by his military service in the 1940?s. While on leave he rescued a truck driver from the cab of a burning semi-truck. He was later sought out and honored for his act of bravery while serving his country in the European theatre. Irv had a great sense of humor. In every stretch of the imagination his first love was that of entertaining. Though he participated in the local Synagogue to celebrate his Jewish faith, he also sang in the Fairplain Presbyterian Church choir. His compassion and passion for life will be deeply missed by family, friends, and the community.