Obituary of Ronald Joseph Martin

Ronald J. Martin Rushford, NY Ronald Joseph Martin, 87, of Rushford, and a winter resident of Lakeland, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Olean General Hospital. Ron was born on April 13, 1938 in Buffalo. He was the son of Robert Martin and Eleanor Chester Martin. He was a graduate of Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo and attended Erie Community College. Ron began his career with the city of Buffalo’s Parks Department in 1956 and was later promoted to senior architect for the city. He served as the executive vice president of AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 650 union, which is the white-collar bargaining unit for the City of Buffalo. He retired after a career of more than 40 years. Ron lived in Lakeland during the winter and spent his summers at Rushford Lake, where he enjoyed boating. His many hobbies included fishing, bowling, and waterskiing. Ron was an avid train set enthusiast, and he had a lifelong love of reading, as well as listening to jazz and big band music. He leaves behind his wife Mary Anna of Las Vegas, NV; 3 children, Joseph A. Martin of Las Vegas, NV, Kathleen (Edward) Ward of Orlando, FL, and Daniel A. (Kristina) Martin of Jacksonville, FL; 3 grandchildren, Justine (Oliver) Knock of Liverpool, England, Eric (Rachel) Ward of Winter Springs, FL, and Haley Ward of Seattle, WA; a great granddaughter, Evie Knock, and a great grandson, Elliott Ward. There will be a public graveside ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025 at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, 700 Pine Ridge Heritage Blvd, Buffalo, beginning at 10:00AM. Deacon Mark Bialkowski of Our Lady of Victory Basilica will officiate. (Meet at the cemetery entrance before 10.) Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 500 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are with the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.