Obituary of Dennis E. Martin

Dennis E. Martin Mt. Upton—Dennis E. Martin, better known as Denny, passed away on Friday, August 4, 2017 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, two days shy of his 70th birthday. Denny was born on August 6, 1947 in Sidney, NY, son of the late Theodore and Jeanette (Schlafer) Martin. He graduated from Sidney High School with the Class of 1965 and honorably served his country in the US Navy from 1968 to 1972. Denny began his career as a janitor at Sidney Central School, working his way up as a bus driver, discipline officer and transportation supervisor, retiring in 2002. During his career, Denny influenced countless lives, keeping kids on the right track and never giving up on them. He was selected to be in Who's Who Among America's Teachers by several students. Denny also played an instrumental role in starting the Boys & Girls Club in Sidney, and enjoyed coaching lassie league softball when his daughters were young. Denny was happiest when he was helping others. He was a volunteer fireman with MacDonald Hose in Sidney for several years. He had a strong sense of civic duty and served as a Justice of the Peace for 22 years; 17 for the Town and Village of Sidney and 5 for the Town of Guilford. During that time, he officiated hundreds of weddings. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Oneonta Chapter #200, and was their head coordinator for drivers for the DAV trips to Albany. He was also a member of the Sidney American Legion and VFW. When Denny wasn't working or volunteering, he enjoyed restoring cars or having coffee at the Country Store with friends. He was married to his wife, Beverly (Seafuse) on August 3, 1994. Denny's dedication to his community and the people in it will be deeply missed. Innumerable lives were made better because of him. Denny is survived by: his wife of 23 years, Beverly Martin of Mt. Upton; daughters, Dawn Martin-Bullis and her husband, Shane of Bainbridge and Denise Martin-Johns and her husband, Santonny of Fountain, CO; stepchildren, Karen McLain and her husband, Joe of Newfield and Brian Peters of Montour Falls; grandchildren: , Saige Hoyt, Morgan Bullis, Thor Bullis, Sydney Martin and step-grandson, Derek Edington; sister, Mary Hitchner and her husband, Merle of Interlachen, FL; nieces, Erica Hitchner Guira and Michelle Hitchner, as well as several cousins; special foster son, Cedo Kolic, and many, many friends. A Celebration of Denny's life will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 2:00-5:00pm at the American Legion Post 183, Union St. Sidney, NY 13838. Military honors will be rendered at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the DAV Chapter 200, 279 Chestnut St. Oneonta, NY 13820, the Delaware Valley Humane Society, 101 E. Main St. Sidney, NY 13838 or to the Tri-Town Youth Club, Attn: Vincent Spruill, 12 Liberty St. Sidney, NY 13838. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.