Cary William Martin

Cary will be remembered as a kind, friendly, headstrong, and determined person, having survived childhood polio, a near fatal plane crash, and a year of service in the Vietnam War.

Cary was born August 13, 1935 in Hermosa Beach, CA and spent his childhood in nearby Pasadena. He was the only child of the late William C. Martin and Maurine C. Martin. Cary graduated from high school in Long Beach, CA. He went on to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY where he graduated with a BS degree in Military Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in U.S. Army in 1958.

Cary completed Jump School at Ft. Benning, GA. He also learned to fly and got a private pilot’s license after graduation from West Point. Cary had been assigned to Germany but never made it there. In 1959 during a flight from GA to NY to attend a classmates wedding, Cary was in a plane crash. Cary was severely injured and went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for extensive treatment and extended recovery. If there was a silver lining, it was during his time there that he met his future wife, Maria, who was a pretty dietetic intern serving at the medical center.

Upon Cary’s accident recovery, he was sent to Ft. Know, KY for Armor Branch (Tank) training. Maria was also stationed at Ft. Knox. Once training was completed, Cary was assigned to serve in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the Korean Peninsula post-war, but during the ongoing Korean Armistice Agreement. Cary returned to Ft. Knox, for additional training and briefly left military service to spend more time with his young family in Suitland, MD. For a year, Cary worked with IBM in sales. He was drawn back into the service by his friends and fellow West Point classmates who were all volunteering to go to Vietnam. Although his then wife, Maria Martin, was not keen on Cary volunteering for Vietnam, civilian life had not been easy and a return to the military would help financially.

Cary submitted his letter for reinstatement to the Pentagon and he went there to get his orders. Cary had shared as part of his return that he was interested in being in Military Intelligence. Given Cary’s language skills (Spanish) his orders were for Panama instead of Vietnam, at that time.

Cary was sent to Intelligence training, special forces training and jungle school prior to this assignment. Panama was a jungle with little support for families – this was akin to a “hardship” or unaccompanied tour for Cary. Meanwhile, Maria and the three boys (Chris, Bill and Blake) had gone to the east coast to live with Maria’s parents. Three little boys were too much for the grandparents so Maria wrote and insisted that she and the boys join Cary in Panama. Her request was granted by Cary’s Commanding Officer.

In Panama, Cary served in the 8th Special Forces Group. He served as a military advisor and instructor training other country’s soldiers on tactics and strategies. During his time in Panama, he went to the Dominican Republic twice, Bolivia, and Chile to provide training. And over the two years there, Cary made the rank of Captain and then Major.

When Cary’s tour in Panama ended, the family took a cruise ship through the Panama Canal and on to NY. Cary had orders for Vietnam, so the family quickly bought a home in Westboro, MA near Maria’s parents. Cary served in Vietnam for one year.

Upon returning to the states, Cary retired from the U.S. Army with 12 years of service and at the rank of Major. He moved his family to California, first to San Francisco and then to settle in Lucas Valley (San Rafael, CA). Cary’s second career, of about 20 years, was working with the federal government as an engineer.

Cary was previously widowed by his first wife of 42 years, Maria Martin, and survived his oldest son, Chris Martin. He is survived by his second wife of almost 22 years, Marjorie (Marj) Hunt-Heinlein of Greenbrae; son Bill Martin, his wife Lori Martin, and grandson Todd Martin of San Ramon, CA and granddaughter, Breanna Muncrief married to Paul Muncrief of Ocean Park, WA; son Blake and his wife JoAnn Wolfe of Portland, OR and grandson, Will Martin of Brooklyn, NY; and Chris’ children, Destinee Ito married to Mark Ito of Temecula, CA and Chance Martin of San Diego, CA and two great-grandchildren, Neilani and Nakoa of Destinee.

While the Martin boys were in school, Cary actively encouraged his boys to compete in various sports and community activities. Cary was a strong role model as he was very much into fitness and a true nature enthusiast. He was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan. Cary dabbled in art and remained an active volunteer and teacher throughout his adult years including providing English as a Second Language (ESL) support and volunteering at St. Vicent de Paul and Nazareth House. Family was very important and meant the world to Cary. And while Cary was strict with his sons, he also showed unconditional love to his boys. He was a devout Catholic. Above all Cary was always a gentleman and sought to be kind and helpful to others. He will be remembered as being a sweet, kind man with a smile to all by his friends, other residents, and staff of The Tamalpais Marin.

Family service is private, but donations can be made on behalf of the Martin family to St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church, 373 Bon Air Rd, Kentfield, CA 94904 and/or you can plant a tree through A Living Tribute in remembrance of Cary. Cary will be interred at Mt. Olivet San Rafael Cemetery.