Obituary of Arthur N. Martin, Sr.

Arthur Nathaniel Martin, Sr., 92, of Union passed away on his birthday, October 29, at his home after a long illness. He was born on October 29, 1923, in Augusta, Georgia, one of eight children to Andrew Jackson and Cornelia (Mason) Martin. He leaves five children: Laura, Arthur Jr (Marilyn), Anthony (Renelle), Elizabeth (Charles Taylor), and Sean; six grandchildren: Arthur III, Alexandria, Ashley, Aaron, Harrison, and Daniel; and three great-grandchildren: Leani, Jaden, and Kennedy; as well one aunt, and many nieces and nephews. He left Augusta as a teenager and attended Newark's Barringer High School where his nickname was "Prince Charming." While there, Arthur met Elizabeth Money and they married shortly after his return from World War II in 1946. They were together for sixty-one years until her death in 2007. They lived primarily in Newark, East Orange, and South Orange. He also spent some of his retirement years with his wife in Southern New Jersey (Voorhees and Robbinsville) before moving to Springfield and finally to Union. Arthur was a World War II veteran, serving in the European theater including taking part in the invasion of Normandy, Battle of the Bulge, and Battle of the Rhineland. Despite fighting in a segregated army, he was decorated with a Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon. Arthur worked in Newark for the US Postal Service for thirty years, retired, and then began a second career with Bell Atlantic; after fifteen years he retired from there as well. He was devoted husband, father, mentor, and friend. He was a jazz aficionado, loved watching sports, and took pride in his children and grandchildren's accomplishments. He strongly championed education, especially for his children. In his later years, he was caregiver to his wife who later succumbed to Alzheimer's disease. He will be remembered and missed by many people whose lives he touched. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend the viewing on November 4, 2015 at the Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Avenue, South Orange from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 5, 2015, at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers you may choose to donate to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or the Greater New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834.