'The kindest, most thoughtful person': Taunton educator Joe Martin dies at 73

TAUNTON — The city lost another longtime public servant Monday. Joseph Martin, 73, a member of the Taunton School Committee and Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant Commission, died Monday at home, according to an obituary from Silva Funeral Home.

Taunton Public Schools announced his death on Facebook Monday evening. Martin was a lifelong educator.

Over the course of his career, he taught math at Taunton High School and Bridgewater State University, and was Taunton Public Schools' assistant superintendent of finance and operations.

Last week saw the death of Peter H. Corr, 84, an indelible presence around town who served on the School Committee for two decades. And on Nov. 10, the city lost former Mayor Joseph L. Amaral.

More: 'A good guy': Taunton mourns Peter H. Corr, one of its most prominent public servants

Martin worked alongside many Tauntonians, including state Rep. Carol Doherty, D-Taunton, on the School Committee.

"He was always my go-to person when I wanted real and even-handed advice on any issue," Doherty said. "He always gave that good advice."

"He was the kindest, most thoughtful person," said Doherty. "He always had the time to listen. He never spoke just to hear himself speak. When Joe spoke, it was always a response borne of experience about how we might move forward."

Martin was a community person who loved his family and loved to travel with his family, Doherty said.

"He always had a story about one grandchild or another," she said.

Another longtime colleague on the School Committee, Christine Fagan, said she enjoyed knowing him.

"We were blessed in the city of Taunton to have Joe Martin," said Fagan, who described Martin as a Renaissance man who was fearless about trying new things.

"He was absolutely dedicated to giving students the best education he could," Fagan said. "He was a phenomenal math teacher."

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell held a moment of silence in Martin's memory.

"He made a positive difference in the lives of so many people," O'Connell said. "It's a great loss to our city. Please keep the Martin family in your prayers at this difficult time."

A 1966 graduate of Taunton High, Martin saw his children and grandchildren come up in Taunton Public Schools. He taught math and computer science at THS between 1970 and 1987, according to his obituary. Other roles included being director of technology from 1987 to 1993, and assistant superintendent for administration and finance from 1993 to his retirement in 2006. He taught math classes at Bridgewater State University for more than 40 years.

His survivors include his daughter, Christine Strawbridge, who also went into education. She teaches at the Chamberlain School. His son, Jeffrey, is a sergeant with the Taunton Police. His wife, Diane, taught science in Norton, Fagan said.

Filling School Committee, TMLP seats

Martin's death opens a seat on the School Committee. According to Doherty, that seat will be offered to the next-highest vote-getter from November's election: Derek George.

George is vice-principal of a middle school in Fall River. Reached via Facebook chat, George said it was a "sad way to get a position" but that he is "looking to take advantage of the opportunity and make positive changes."

It's unclear how Martin's seat on the TMLP Commission will be filled. The Mayor's Office is consulting the city's Law Department about the proper process, said Deputy Chief of Staff Radka Barter.

For Martin's memorial services, visiting hours are set for Friday, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Silva Funeral Home, 80 Broadway. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First St. Martin will be buried after the Mass in Saint Francis Cemetery on Glebe Street.

The family asks that instead of flowers, memorial gifts be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 100 Myles Standish Blvd., Suite 103, Taunton, MA 02780 or Taunton High School Faculty/Community Scholarship, 50 Williams St., Taunton MA 02780.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at CHelms@tauntongazette.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Taunton Daily Gazette.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Joseph Martin, 73, served Taunton as educator, TMLP commissioner