Paso Robles gathers to remember life and legacy of Mayor Steve Martin

The American flag flew at half-mast, suspended from a Paso Robles fire engine, as first responders, elected officials from around SLO County and Paso Robles community members gathered Wednesday evening at the Downtown City Park to celebrate the life and legacy of late Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin.

More than 100 people turned out to the memorial to share stories about the late mayor and salute his accomplishments on behalf of Paso Robles and the North County.

Martin died from an aggressive form of cancer in August. He was 71 and had just been elected to his fourth term as mayor in November 2022 when he was later diagnosed.

Elected officials, city staff remember Paso Robles mayor

The celebration of life opened with an honorary aerial flyover for Martin by the Estrella Warbirds Museum in the shape of the missing man formation.

Current Mayor of Paso Robles, John Hamon, who assumed the role after Martin’s death, delivered the opening remarks.

“The essence of Steve Martin’s life was a dedicated service to others,” Hamon said. “Steve chose that life of service.”

Paso Robles City Manager and former police chief Ty Lewis recognized Martin’s commitment to the city’s first responders and public safety.

The mayor’s contributions to the city of Paso Robles extended beyond institutions and policy and into the social fabric of the community, Lewis said.

Martin built a “community where everyone felt seen, heard and valued,” Lewis said.

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor John Peschong spoke about how, despite running against Martin for the District 1 supervisor seat in the 2016 election, the politicians later became friends who met for breakfast monthly.

“I learned a lot from him,” Peschong said of Martin.

Martin’s commitment to courtesy and productive discourse helped inform the political code of civility, which was signed by the seven mayors and five supervisors and hangs today in the board chambers, he said.

“Steve spent a lifetime investing in people,” former Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley said.

O’Malley was childhood best friends with Martin, a friendship that continued into adulthood when both men served as mayors of the North County cities, referring to themselves as “Dos Alcaldes,” Spanish for “two mayors.”

Martin was committed to economic, social progress in Paso Robles

Cal Poly Vice President of Information Technology Bill Britton spoke about Martin’s enthusiasm for transforming the Paso Robles Municipal Airport into a spaceport that could be used for commercial missions to space.

Martin felt the spaceport project could transform the local economy and bring more high-earning jobs to Paso Robles.

Britton reaffirmed Cal Poly’s commitment to collaborating with the city of Paso Robles to see Martin’s plans for the spaceport come to fruition.

Martin was also committed to helping the underserved.

Martin and O’Malley spent the occasional night at the El Camino Homeless Organization Shelter in Atascadero, helping to read stories to the children and serve breakfast in the morning, O’Malley said.

ECHO CEO Wendy Lewis said it was Martin’s ability to build consensus that helped bring the ECHO shelter to Paso Robles.

Martin was the “fabric that brought people to together,” Lewis said. His belief that all Paso Roblans deserved shelter and dignity helped convince some detractors that the ECHO shelter could help the city of Paso Robles.

Atascadero childhood friends to North County elected officials

O’Malley and Gere Sibbach, current treasurer of Atascadero, both performed music with Martin as part of the community band in Atascadero.

Sibbach recalled Martin’s musical talent, calling him the “pinch hitter” for the rock band they later formed, with Martin able to step in to fill whatever need the band might require.

It was while performing in Wisconsin that Martin met Jennifer, his wife of more than 50 years, Sibbach said.

Sibbach’s voice broke when he talked about Martin’s love for his family, which included Jennifer, his daughters Nora and Jamie and “spiritual daughter” Carrie.

“Most of all, he wanted more time with her,” O’Malley said of Martin’s wife, Jennifer.

The service concluded with Jennifer Martin reading a note she wrote at her husband’s bedside, reflecting on his many contributions to the community of Paso Robles and her grief at the time they won’t be able to share together after his death.

Martin was a renaissance man — politician, musician, playwright, journalist, broadcaster, father — but he also loved radio, Jennifer Martin said.

“He truly is indeed the voice of Paso,” she said.