Timothy J. Martin [1951-2021]
Jul. 18—Timothy J. Martin, who formerly co-owned an insurance agency and became a dedicated volunteer to the East Toledo community where the firm was based, died July 9 in Wood County Hospital, Bowling Green. He was 69.
He learned in April that he had cancer, his daughter, Cheryl LoFiego, said. Formerly of West Toledo, he lived near Waterville in Monclova Township.
Mr. Martin was an owner of Martin-Lark Insurance Agency Inc. on Main Street and offered auto, home, and life insurance coverage.
"He was really good with people, and he would go out to their homes," his daughter said. "He was hands on. He was old school."
"He would tell me, 'It's a job where you're doing somebody a service,'" said his daughter, who briefly had an insurance license. "It was easy for him to sell, because he was honest with them. He wanted to help people, mainly."
He began by working for his father, Robert J. Martin, and the firm, then known as Kalmbach-Martin. In 1986, the firm and John Lark's agency combined to form Martin-Lark.
Mr. Martin was a lifetime board member of the East Toledo Family Center, where he was a longtime volunteer and a former trustee and treasurer. He also founded, organized, and served as chairman of the center's annual benefit golf outing.
"He was a super nice person who really cared about his community and was always a big supporter of the family center," Tracy Garufos, a family center administrative assistant who worked with Mr. Martin for more than 20 years.
He received the Dorie Steinmetz Memorial Community Service Award in 1996 and the 2013 Distinguished Citizen award from the family center.
"He was quiet, reserved guy. He didn't like recognition when he got awards," his daughter said. "He didn't like to talk about his accomplishments. It was his duty."
He was a former chairman of River East Associates and was a charter member of the Exchange Club of Greater Maumee Bay. He was an East Toledo Christmas Parade volunteer for a quarter century. In later years, he was among three generations — his daughter and granddaughters — in handing out candy and U.S. flags at the parade.
"One of the themes in his community service was the east side of Toledo," his daughter said, noting that his grandparents lived in what became the city of Oregon.
"He had ties to the east side. He wanted to improve the area around it. Those were his customers," his daughter said.
He sold his interest in the business in 2009 to Mr. Lark and retired.
Afterward, Mr. Martin joined Rubicon Lodge, F&AM, and served as its education officer. He also received a community service award from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. He was president of the Zenobia Shrine's Evzones Unit and volunteered for the annual Zenobia Shrine Circus.
George Webb, also a Mason, met Mr. Martin through the insurance agency more than 25 years ago, and they played golf together.
"He was like a brother. He was one of the finest people you could ever want to meet," Mr. Webb said. "He was just a simple person. He was a Good Samaritan."
He was born Oct. 21, 1951, in Toledo to Ardath and Robert Martin. He was a 1969 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He became a grain inspector, first for the state and then for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and was based at grain elevators on Miami Street.
He joined the Marines after receiving his draft notice and served in the Marine Corps Reserve, his daughter said.
He was formerly married to Catherine Begg Dunne.
Surviving are his daughter, Cheryl LoFiego; brothers Robert and Donald Martin, and two granddaughters.
Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, where military honors will begin at 4 p.m. and prayers and Masonic services at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish,
The family suggests tributes to East Toledo Family Center, Central Catholic High School, or a charity of the donor's choice.
