Raymond Sylvester Martin Jr.

Ray was born on December 4, 1930 to Raymond Sylvester Martin Sr. and Anne Cecilia (Burke) Martin in Riverdale, New York. Ray graduated from All Hallows High School in 1948, and he earned a degree in business and marketing from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York.

In 1952, Ray met Marilyn Giannelli at a holiday party hosted at the Martin family home in Colonial Heights, New York and they attended Mass together the following morning. That summer Ray worked the night shift at General Motors. He asked Marilyn to tie a string around her toe and hang the string out the window so he could wake her to visit on his way home. Ray and Marilyn were married on June 12, 1954.

In 1954, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy, attended Officer Candidate School, and served in the Supply Corp as a Lieutenant JG, stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station and Rough and Ready Island, California before serving in the Reserves at Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York.

In 1960, Ray joined IBM in White Plains, New York. In 1969, he moved his wife and seven children to Boca Raton, Florida where he continued his career with IBM in marketing and sales, achieving many Golden Circle awards, retiring in 1987.

Ray was an old salt with a passion for sailing. He obtained his United States Coast Guard Captain’s license and was a member of the Hillsboro Inlet Sailing Club. He shared this passion with friends and family aboard a succession of boats including a Sunfish, Martin’s Navy, Bacardi, Porta Bella, Discovery, and The Demonstrator, sailing the beautiful waters of Florida and the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas.

In addition to sailing, talking about sailing and preparing to go sailing, he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, listening to music, playing the piano, reading, photography, woodworking, fishing, and ice cream. “9 pistachio please!” He had a talent for sharpening knives and especially enjoyed demonstrating this skill in front of his daughters’ suitors.

Captain Ray of 2001 Coconut Road was respected, inspirational and even a little intimidating. He instilled his values with a firm handshake, a square look in the eyes, honesty, and a low threshold for unnecessary BS, often asking “Who taught you that?”

Ray was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Jean Marie Martin. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marilyn, his children and their spouses, Margaret Gearhiser (Bill Gearhiser), Catherine Lee (Ron Lee), Raymond Martin (Ling Martin), Mary Martin, William Martin (Ella Martin), Marilyn Martin, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his brother, Michael J. Martin.

Funeral Memorial Service

Friday, May 5, 2023 @ 10:30 am

Deacon Greg Sherman Presiding

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Chapel

10300 Yamato Road

Boca Raton, FL 33498

Interment

Friday, May 5, 2023 @ 12:30 pm

Deacon Greg Sherman Presiding

Navy Honor Guard

South Florida National Cemetery

6501 S. State Rd 7

Lake Worth, FL 33449

Procession Lane 1

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Raymond S. Martin Jr. to Veterans Affairs as they provided outstanding care.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Attn: 135

7305 North Military Trail

West Palm Beach, FL 33410