Samuel Thompson Martin

At 11:16am on Christmas Day, our lives were forever changed.  Just two days shy of his 75th birthday, we lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, gifted athlete, educator, fabulous cook....a most special love of our lives.

In loving memory of Samuel Thompson Martin (December 27, 1950 - December 25, 2025)

Sam was born in Newry, Northern Ireland.  He came to Canada when he was two years of age, complete with Irish charm and a twinkle in his eyes, both of which he never lost.  After a few years living in Toronto, his family moved to Sudbury, making this their permanent home.  Sam attended Sudbury High School where his athletic gifts were in full view.  Sam was a very talented football, basketball, track and field and golf athlete.  He loved playing, coaching, refereeing, watching and he did all of this with great passion and integrity.  He missed golf the most.  His body bore the brunt of his athletic accomplishments.  Sam endured chronic pain in his later years, after a spinal fusion and having both hips and both knees replaced.  Despite his significant challenges in this regard, he was strong, rarely complaining, never playing a victim.  This is one small area where we find comfort, knowing that he is no longer suffering.  Sam had an amazing, keen eye, making insightful and meaningful observations that helped so many of his athletes grow, develop and improve in their skills (but he would also joke with them that he could only coach them until they matched his personal bests, but not exceed them).  His memory in sports was something else too - each stroke in a golf match, each play or basket his kids made, each save in goal, he would analyze and advise all in the spirit of continuous improvement and success.  Sam believed in the power and gifts of athletics because he truly felt they set you up for life - learning to be responsible, accountable, honest, acting with integrity, being reliable, dependable, disciplined, dedicated, coupled with a strong work ethic, for every practice, for every game, for life. Sam had all of these qualities and more. He was so happy and proud to bring a city football championship to Lasalle SS with his team.  He was honoured to have been co-chair of Competition Protocol for the 1989 World Juniors Track and Field Championships.  He was humbled by his top 5 finish in the Ontario Amateur for golf.

Sam pursued a career in education, teaching at many of Sudbury's high schools.  He finished his career as OSSTF President so strongly believing in the fairness of due process.  

At home, Sam was known to his family, friends and neighbours as an amazing cook.  Best Caesar salad ever, his famous "secret" barbeque sauce (when his sons requested his recipe, his response was always "in my will"), steaks grilled to medium perfection, family tradition Christmas pecan shortbread crescents, the tastiest of gravies to accompany turkey dinner and pork loin roasts.  Sam prided himself on an abundance of delicious food for all to enjoy.  No one ever left his home hungry and not well fed.  

Sam's interests included a love of music, classic rock especially (the daily alarm he woke to was "Take A Load Off Fanny") but Andrea Bocelli's "Nessun Dorma" always moved him to tears.  He enjoyed his travels through the years to many Caribbean islands, Florida, Hawaii, Rome, Lisbon and a cruise of the Baltic Sea.  He loved cruising the "domestic" waters of the Wahnapitae River on his pontoon boat.  He enjoyed watching crime shows, history and geography channels, but only when he wasn't watching sports like his Toronto Maple Leafs (a true, loyal, diehard fan to the very end).

Sam was the eldest son of Harold and Doreen Martin.  He leaves behind three brothers who mourn and grieve his loss:  Ron (wife Briitta and their daughters Kristen and Tarju), Kevin (wife Jane and their son Mitchell), and Brian (wife Mailis and their sons Cameron and Scott).

Sam's wife and children also feel his loss so deeply, so profoundly.  Beloved husband of Lisa, adoring and proud father of Amber (husband Brian and their children Haidyn and Korbin), Drew (partner Paula and their son Evan), Joshua (partner Katie), Jacob and Sammie (partner Pascal).

Sam, you are so greatly loved and missed already.  Thank you for your wonderful life and all of the memories created to be treasured forever !  You deeply touched so many of us.  You made a difference in the lives of so many.  Rest well and rest easy my darling.

Sam was known in his family for regularly and consistently helping homeless individuals in our community by purchasing extra meals or providing gift cards.  Kindly consider a random act of kindness in Sam's memory, especially for someone less fortunate.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the EMS crews, John Nipius, Officer Lanzo and his partner of Greater Sudbury Police Services along with Dr. Centis.

A celebration of life is planned for Tuesday December 30, from 2 - 5 pm, at The Wahnapitae Community Centre. All are welcome.  Please feel free to dress casually.  Please feel free to share a memory or story of Sam for his family.  Cremation to take place.  With sincere thanks to Collin Bourgeois of Simple Wishes of the North.

Cremation services are provided by Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury, and Crystal Crematorium.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Samuel Thompson Martin, please visit our Tree Store.