James Patrick Martin

A man of few words but no shortage of love for those closest to him, James Patrick Martin joined his wife Mary in heaven on June 18, 2020. A Pittsburgher for life, Jim graduated from St. Martin’s School in the West End before serving in the US Military (1951-1953). He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War before returning home to his true love, Mary. They married on June 6, 1953 and spent the next 66 years sharing their lives with four wonderful children: Nancy (Alan) Bedell, Dan (Jenny), John (Kelly), and Bill (Shelley) Martin. While his interest in friends and acquaintances could be fleeting, his love of God and church never wavered. After moving to Mt. Lebanon in 1956, Jim and Mary became parishioners and active members of St. Bernard Parish and, more recently, St. Anne Church (St. Paul of the Cross Parish). Jim always kept himself busy with work, finding ways to build and create a life for his wife and kids. His proudest professional accomplishment remains the day he founded The James P. Martin Company, sharing his expertise in brushes and supplies with a loyal customer base. During his nine decades on Earth, Jim loved three things above all: God, family, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. That love remained strong until the end, despite a global pandemic and wretched greed leading to the absence of a 2020 baseball season. Jim also was known to have quite the sweet tooth, with his boys regularly slipping him donuts and ice cream behind Mary’s back. She was none the wiser. Jim is survived by his children and loving grandchildren: Megan (Mark) Criswell, Andrew (Marisa Baptiste) Bedell, Aaron (Katie Love) Martin, Courtney (Mike) Averbach, Alexis (Stephen) Copson, Spencer and Nolan Martin; and nieces and nephews. The next generation also got to know their great grandpa: Madeleine, Mason, and Matthew Criswell; Dylan Copson; and Adley Martin. Arrangements by Laughlin Funeral Home, Mt. Lebanon. Visitation will be private. Friends and family are welcome to attend a funeral Mass, which will be held at St. Anne Church at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27th. Those who are unable to attend may view a Livestream of the Mass at laughlinfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul of the Cross Parish; 400 Hoodridge Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15234. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Patrick Martin, please visit our floral store.