Obituary of Rob Martin
With deepest sorrow, we say farewell to Robert (Rob) Martin of Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He passed away peacefully on Sunday August 11th, 2024 at the Yorkton Regional Hospital at the age of 87 years.
Rob was born on the family farm in the Ituna district on December 14th, 1936. He was the seventh child born to Isaac and Sylvia (Halliday) Martin, Irish Pioneers that came to Canada from Northern Ireland and took up a homestead north east of Ituna. Rob received his education at Stanisloff School as well as attending Agricultural School in Saskatoon. He worked on the family farm with his Dad and brothers and raised Hereford cattle and Clydesdale horses. He became employed with the Department of Highways in 1957 building roads until his retirement in June of 1996. From 1972 to 1981 during the winter months Rob worked for Manitoba Forestry Resources, of The Pas, Manitoba on a grader looking after 350 miles of ice and bush roads. In his early 70’s he also worked for the Parkland Community College teaching students how to operate heavy equipment.
Rob loved old time music and met Elaine at a dance. They built a new family home together in Yorkton in 2000 and continued to travel the province attending old time dances and polka fests. Rob and Elaine also loved the Dominican Republic and Mexico and they traveled there numerous winters until they were approximately eighty years of age. They also made a trip to Ireland and met some of Rob’s distant relatives there. Rob also loved his Tim Horton’s coffee and his visits with friends in the coffee shop. He loved gardening, in particular growing his potatoes and collecting horse tack which he would buy, sell and trade.
Rob was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Jim, Ike and Fred. Rob leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life, partner Elaine Gattinger, step-children Brenda Gattinger (Ray Ortynski) of Yorkton, Sandra Hollinger (Rod) of Saskatoon, Keith Gattinger (Sharon Ward) of Yorkton; sisters Sarah Burns, Margaret Wilson, Anne (Roy)Burns, Sylvia Exley; step-grandchildren Chelsey Berrecloth (Dillon Waldbauer), Jason (Rachel) Hollinger, Joey Hollinger (Holly Bruce), Nathan Erbach; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Jen Dresser of St. Andrew’s United Church officiating. Accompanist Amanda Buhler led the congregation in the hymns ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ and ‘Be Still My Soul’. The honorary casket bearers are all of Rob’s family, friends and special people in his life. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane, Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Allan Burns, Shirley Kostal, Keith Gattinger, Robert Horvath, Janet Horvath and Chris Kachur serving as casket bearers.
Memorial donations may be made to Westview United Church (355 Bradbrooke Dr., Yorkton, SK S3N 2K7) as gifts of remembrance.
