Edward P. Martin Jr.'s Obituary
Edward P. Martin, Jr, age 78, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 15, 2026. He was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on February 23, 1948,to Edward and Ethel Martin and grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and earned a PhD in Materials Science from MIT in 1977. He served his country as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He was a process integration engineer in the semiconductor industry with Bell Laboratories for many years, publishing 26 articles and receiving 7 patents, including the AT&T Patent of the Year Award in 1994.
He met the joy of his life, Norine, at Boston College and they were married on August 28, 1971. They shared a loving marriage for 54 years rooted in faith and family. He is survived by his wife, Norine, and their four children, Ed (Amy), David (Erica), Peter (Christina), and Katie (Shawn). He was a loving Grandpa to his nine grandchildren: Owen, Adelle, Colin, Brandon, Carly, Philip, Caleb, Gregory, and Hazel. He enjoyed playing games with them, reading stories to them, playing sports, doing physics problems and talking about numbers with them. He is also survived by his siblings: Jack (Elaine), Mary Ellen (Don), Liz (Jim), Bill, and Paul (Jennifer), as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Ethel, and his brother, Richard.
Ed shared his gifts and talents generously. When his children were younger, he spent hours in the backyard teaching his children the mechanics of throwing a ball, swinging a bat, and shooting a basket. He loved to help his children with school projects and assignments, always with a reminder to “study with a pencil and paper in hand.” He held leadership roles Scout troops and regularly volunteered as a Little League coach. Ed was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he was a Past Grand Knight and served at countless pancake breakfasts, fish fries, and fundraising drives. After retirement, Ed continued his involvement in the Knights of Columbus and served at Queen of Peace Catholic Community as a sacristan during funeral Masses and as a monthly food drive volunteer for Catholic Charities. Together with Norine, he served in the Ministry of Married and Engaged Couples as a prayer sponsor and assisted with social events and discussion groups.
One constant throughout all the stages of Ed’s life was golf, which he learned from his father at a young age. He and his father played in—and won—many father-and-son tournaments in Massachusetts while Ed was growing up. He worked as a caddy and groundskeeper as a teenager and played on the golf team at Boston College. Throughout his working years, he joined his colleagues in golf leagues, where they often complimented his swing. Ed was always frugal and believed in using (and repairing) what you have rather than purchasing new. In the 2010s, he was playing with the same set of golf clubs he had purchased secondhand back in the 1960s. Upon retirement, Ed volunteered as a ranger at Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville, upgraded his golf clubs, and also found more time to play golf. He celebrated his 70th birthday by playing 18 holes with his four children for the first time. On February 16, 2023, just a week before he turned 75 years old, Ed achieved his first hole-in-one. Ever-humble, Ed picked up the ball and simply continued his game of golf. Thankfully he saved his scorecard. He always described his game of golf as “some good shots, some bad shots” no matter how many were in each category.
Ed enjoyed keeping his mind and body active by gardening and meticulously pulling weeds—always in dungarees and long sleeves, reading, and doing puzzles. When his children were younger, he maintained an immaculate fish tank. In retirement, he maintained an array of bird feeders. He loved decorating for Christmas both inside and outside the house and the memories created together. He enjoyed watching old movies, golf tournaments (despite all the idle chatter), and cheering on his favorite sports teams while offering constructive criticism.
Ed’s faith was resolute. Prior to changes in his health, he attended daily Mass. He devoted time each day in prayer, even asking Norine to bring his prayer book to the hospital. The way he faced his illness and changes in quality of life speaks to his faith. He never complained. He remained positive and focused on what he could do. He accepted God’s will with strength and grace.
Ed’s family would like to thank the entire team at UF Health, especially Dr. Patel, Dr. Harden, and Dr. Holland, for providing him with excellent care.
Services to honor Ed’s life begin with visitation at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 823 NW 143rd Street, on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Community, 10900 SW 24th Avenue.
Family and friends wishing to remember Ed’s legacy through a donation may please support Catholic Charities Gainesville (https://www.catholiccharitiesgainesville.org) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org).
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