Michael Mike John Martin

Michael J. Martin of Chicago, Illinois passed away March 14, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 67 years after a 30-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born June 15, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Henry J. and Evelyn A. (nee Wilke) Martin. He attended St. Lambert’s Elementary School and later Loyola Academy. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees from Cornell University and an MBA from Northwestern University. He spent his entire career in non-profits, starting with the Tompkins County Human Services Coalition in Ithaca, New York, where he served as executive director. Between 1976 and 1985, he served in a number of leadership positions, including the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the Chicago Children’s Museum before being appointed as the Director of Fund Development at the Chicago Area Project. He served there for 12 years before his disability retirement in 2000. Michael loved the outdoors and enjoyed backpacking, hiking, camping and running. His sense of humor was one of his best attributes. He enjoyed doing improv and often performed onstage in Improv Olympics in Chicago. He loved to play and compose for piano and keyboard and was part of a jazz quartet while at Cornell. He was a self-taught gourmet cook who enjoyed preparing fancy meals for his family and friends. He met his wife of 32 years, Carmelita Gallo, at the YMCA and together they raised two daughters, Angela and Christina. He is survived by his wife and daughters; brothers Philip and John (Mary) Martin and sister, Pam Martin Tomlinson; nieces Cary Martin Shelby, Sarah, Emily, Claire, Laurel and nephew Jake; great nephew Malcolm; cousins and other relatives and friends. He will be missed for his art of embellishing a good story, his wit and sense of humor and his love of home and family. A memorial service will be held in Chicago at a later date. Donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st St, Suite 800, Miami, Florida 33131-1909. http://www.parkinson.org/