Vernon Paul Martin

February 12, 1928 - February 20, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
On New Year's Eve, many years ago, a shy young man jumped over a table where coffee was being served to brazenly kiss a young woman he had never met. Yes, alcohol was a factor.
But little did young Vernon Martin realize what he was starting when he kissed Elizabeth Gauley. One kiss led to more than 71 years of marriage, four children, six grandchildren and two great grandsons. It also took an only child into a Gauley clan that resulted in his having more in-laws than he could count and more than 40 nieces and nephews, when all was said and done.
And they all respected and loved their quiet, unassuming Uncle Vernon because he was solid, reliable and always there when needed.
Pop, a name he picked up when the grandchildren began arriving, did all the things a 1950s father was supposed to do, off to work every day for 37 and a half years in the CIL factory in Brownsburg, Que.
He was there for any school events, sporting outings, piano recitals, band concerts, and whatever else his two sons, Warren (Christine) and Ian (Marian), and daughter, Vicki (Ian Dutton), came up with.
He maintained both the family home and cottage, ensuring there was solid footing for his children to call home and return to with their own children Ryan (Erin) and Keenan Martin, Jennifer and Evan Martin, Renee Thompson and Robyn Dutton trailing behind them.
Surprisingly, he and Liz decided on his retirement to head to Sooke, where Vicki and family lived at that time. For many years they also kept the family cottage in Cushing, Que., where the sons and their families could spend extended summer vacations with the Ottawa River at the doorstep.
Life in Sooke revolved around the activities the couple thoroughly enjoyed as they became solid members of the local Legion, golfed, curled and played shuffleboard with Pop enjoying the occasional game of pool. Those activities resulted in numerous friendships developing in town and at their mobile home on Kirby Road.
Recent years saw a move to Ayre Manor where they made some new friends, with Pop charming staff and residents alike.
And now, he has moved on to be with his son, Owen, who died at four months. He leaves to mourn his wife Liz, children, grandchildren and his pride and joy, great-grandsons Colin and Nolan Martin.
A celebration of life will be held on March 5th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sooke Legion, 6726 Eustace Road.