Obituary of James V. Martin Jr.

Oneida-James V. Martin, Jr., 75, of 4642 State Route 365, Oneida, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at home, following a brief but intense battle with pancreatic cancer.

  He was born on September 11, 1947, in Oneida, NY, the son of James V. Martin and Clara Henrietta (Baird) Martin.

  Jim grew up in Vernon, and was a graduate of the VVS Central School in 1965.  He attended Mohawk Valley Community College, and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Electrical Technology.

 As a teen, he was a newspaper carrier for the Oneida Daily Dispatch.

 He became a licensed amateur HAM radio operator in 1963, a passion that continued throughout the rest of his life.

  In high school, he was a member of MARS (Military Affiliated Radio System) at Griffiss Air Force Base.

He enlisted in Army National Guard in July of 1968, and was honorably discharged in July of 1974.  He was a staff Sargent and served as part of Company C (FS) 50^th Maintenance Battalion NYARNG. He also earned the Sharpshooter Badge w/rifle bar in December 1968, ARCAM AR 672-1-5, and NYSA CIV AUTH MR 26 SNY.

  He married Diane E. Dougherty on September 21, 1968 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica, New York. 

  After living in Augusta, Georgia for part of his military service, they returned to New York, settling in Oneida in 1969. They were happily married until her death on November 16, 2003.

  Jim worked in 2-way mobile communications for General Electric, Ericsson, Tyco, and Ma-Com before retiring on May 29, 2009.  He also worked for Mid-State C & E as a radio technician during a brief lay off from General Electric in the early 1970s, before being called back to work.

  Surviving are: two daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie L. Martin-Pearson and Sean D. Pearson, Laural A. Martin-Tanner and James E. Tanner, one son and daughter-in-law, James V. Martin III and Erin C. Martin, five grandchildren, Emily K. Martin-Pearson, Liam J. Tanner, Brody E. Tanner, Harper E. Tanner, and James V. Martin IV, one brother, Ronald A. Martin, two sisters and brothers-in law, Carol and Jack King, Sylvia and Robert Galluzzo. Sisters-in-law Donna Houseknecht, Diane Jennings Prosser Parmalee. Many nieces and nephews.  Also surviving is his best friend since Kindergarten, Paul Jasiewicz

  Predeceased by Dave and Donna Terrell, Michael Prosser, and Robert Houseknecht.

  Jim’s hobbies and interests included building and flying RC airplanes, HAM radio, working on cars, following the weather, and fixing anything and everything that was electrical or mechanical. Also, Hershey’s Special Dark and Werther’s hard candies and Breyer’s Vanila Bean Ice Cream.

  He loved spending time with family, especially for home cooked meals, and Jim had a special place in his heart for special dogs throughout his life.  He was very proud of each of his grandkids and their interests and talents. No one made pancake breakfast better than Bumpa/Boppa.

He was a man who was always willing to step up and help.  No task was too large or too small.  In a few words, he was dependable, reliable, hard-working, and loving.  He was a man of few words in public but full of wisdom, stories, and playful fun in his comfort zone.

 Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home Inc., 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY, 13476. Private burial for the family will be Thursday, May 25, 2023 in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Clayville, NY,

  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

“CQ CQ, This is WB2EJG.  73 & 88”