Brian Patrick Martin

September 2, 1961 - April 2, 2014
Brian Patrick Martin

Brian Patrick Martin, 52 of Etowah, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Born in Newark, Ohio he grew up in Oxford, Michigan and had been a resident of North Carolina for 31 years, residing in Henderson County for the past 16 years.

He was a son of William Martin and the late Mary Elaine Reichert Martin. Brian was also preceded in death by his brother Michael David Martin.

Brian attended Northern Michigan University and was a Gearing Technician with Arvin-Meritor for the past 31 years. He was a hardworking man who loved his family dearly. He especially loved watching his children participate in their sporting events.

Surviving is his wife of 17 years, Carla Martin; his children Patrick and Claudia both of the home; his father Bill Martin and wife Jean of West Chester, Pennsylvania; brothers Jon Martin of Suzhou, China and Stephen Martin and wife Cara of Rochester Hills, Michigan; and a sister Melanie Royster of Oxford, Michigan.

A mass of the resurrection will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. Reverend Namdev Dagam will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Monday at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MANNA FoodBank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28805.


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  • April 05, 2014
    Bob Wilkins says:
    I am extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Brian. I have known Brian since middle school in Oxford, MI. I always considered Brian one of my best friends. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.

  • April 05, 2014
    Judy Marshall says:
    My deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time. Brian will be greatly missed. Love and prayers Your Cousin Judy Marshall

  • April 05, 2014
    Charles & Sherry Glatzer says:
    Carla, Patrick and Claudia, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Chas & Sherry

  • April 05, 2014
    Jennifer Riesbeck says:
    Uncle Bill and Family, I am so saddened to hear of our loss. Praying for peace and comfort for entire family.

  • April 13, 2014
    Brian's Dad-William (Bill) Martin III says:
    Our son Brian was the 3rd born in a family of 5 children. His 2 older brothers, Mike and Jon were ages 2 and 1 at the time of his birth. Melanie and Steve would be born 4 and 6 years later. So Brian, as the middle child, may have gotten the short end of the nurturing stick. In viewing the wonderful chronological pictorial DVD of Brianís life last night, there was a sharp realization of the missed hug opportunities on my part. And for this son, I am truly sorry. Brian soon fit in nicely with his older brothers, becoming the 3 amigos. Although they were a source of amusement for the neighbors, they challenged their mother to the max, which required on many occasions some intervention from dad. For example, one afternoon while arriving home from work, as we viewed our home from a distance there appeared to be 3 figures moving around on the rooftop of our single story house. As we pulled up the driveway, we observed Brian and his 2 brothers trying to get off the roof quickly, by way of the TV antenna, which was positioned at the side of our home. When safely on the ground, intervention was performed. This was just one of the many similar episodes that would be taxing to their parents but continue to provide excitement for the 3 amigos. Over the years it was apparent that the intervention method was not working. Around the second or third grade, Brian, upon arriving home from school, was asked by his mother how he was doing. Brian, smiling, would proudly provide his ìHappy faceî school papers. This went on for several weeks. One day, when mowing the grass, I observed the culvert pipe at the end of our driveway, containing several white pages of paper. When I retrieved the papers from the culvert pipe I had found these to be Brianís work with not so happy faces. So, it was obvious, that only the happy faces made it into the house while the not so happy faces made it into the culvert pipe. We tried to raise our children to be independent thinkers. And when they begin to think differently than we, we wondered where we went wrong. Brian was the most independent of the independents. He truly marched to the beat of his own drum. Brian was a worker and he had a job at a very early age carrying newspapers in our neighborhood. Brian learned early on that if he wanted something, he would have to work hard to get it. Nothing would be handed to him. With money earned from his paper route and landscape work with a landscape company he purchased CB radios and a 71 Pontiac LeMans, which he drove during his high school years. It was his car purchased with his own money. Growing up, Brian had many friends. These close friends would hang out at our home on a very regular basis. Brianís mother encouraged these get-togethers, as she was able to keep an eye on him and observe his friends. I believe these hangout sessions developed in Brian as well as his brothers and friends, a knack for humor and practical joking, which Brian continued to exhibit throughout his life. To his mother and dad the time seemed to move quickly as Brian graduated from high school. For Brian, the time may not have seemed to move so quickly, as he looked forward to moving on and having personal independence. Brian spent several quarters at Northern Michigan University, mostly at the insistence of his parents. Brian decided not to pursue his education at the university. Not long after, Brian received an invitation to interview for a position in a new Rockwell manufacturing plant near Ashville, North Carolina. Brian was hired. Over the next 31 years Brian established his North Carolina roots. After living in North Carolina for only a couple years, to his brothers and sister, and parents, it seemed like in his speech that he had lived there all his life. We liked it! After 13 years and living in the home that he had purchased, Brian met and married his lovely wife Carla. Together they have 2 beautiful children, Patrick and Claudia. From listening to his work colleagues last evening, it is apparent that Brian had a very positive influence on many, and I would have to say his life, career, and family has been a success. Brian was an extremely hardworking man who took advantage of nearly every available hour of work offered to him so that he could provide his wife and children with security, and comfort. As a father, I am most proud of what my son Brian has accomplished with his working career at Rockwell Meritor. More importantly, the love he has shown his wife and children. Brian was a good man, loving brother, and a dear son. His passing leaves us all with unbearable grief. Almighty and Merciful Lord your will be done. Please open the gates of your Heavenly Kingdom and shine your perpetual light on my son Brian, as he flourishes in your presence to be reunited with his mother, Marlene, and brother, Mike, grand parents Reichert and grand parents Martin. That he may from heaven provide spiritual support to his lovely wife, Carla and take joy in watching the spiritual and intellectual growth of his beautiful children, Patrick and Claudia. Lord hear my prayer. Amen