George E. Martin

PLEASE NOTE - FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 16, 2021 at Doe Run Presbyterian Church.  Relatives and friends may pay their respects to the family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Church.  Private interment will be in Doe Run Church Cemetery.

On Friday, January 15, 2021, Heaven rejoiced to receive George Edwin Martin, age 83, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and previously Bridgeport, Ohio. He was born September 11, 1937, in Bridgeport, Ohio. He was the third of five children. Preceded in death were his parents, Clarence Cecil and Eleanor Jean Martin, nee Adams; two brothers Clarence “Bud” (Ruth) and David (Cindy) Martin. He is survived by his son, Geoffrey (Francine) Martin and their children, Theresa and Caroline of New York, NY, daughter, Cindy (James) Gwynn and their children, Jimmy and Lily of Chester Springs, PA, stepson, Thomas (Cameron Macaleer) Toal of Pottstown, PA; brother, Donald (Jean) Martin; sister Ellen (Tom) Gensor.  George’s family and friends called him Ed.

Ed was a hard-working young man and he loved the liberal arts. Upon graduating from Bridgeport High School in 1956, he pursued his higher education at Grove City College in Grove City, PA where he majored in English and minored in Social Studies. Upon graduation in 1960, Ed began his teaching career at Barnesville and Newton Falls High School, Ohio. In 1962 he moved to the Philadelphia area to continue teaching English at Valley Forge Military Academy. In 1971 he began teaching at the West Chester Area School District, where he taught English Literature and composition. While teaching high school he earned a master’s degree in Science for Secondary Education.

Ed was a dedicated family man and homesteader. In 1969 he married Annette Schuler and he helped raise his stepson, Thomas. In 1970 he became a father to his twin son and daughter, Geoff and Cindy. In 1977, he moved to a small farm in Marshallton, Pennsylvania. There he planted lush vegetable gardens and tended vibrant flower beds. He raised cattle, chickens, ducks, geese, guinea hens, rabbits, and a voracious goat named Arthur Fonzerelli. Ed loved Newfoundland dogs and wound up adopting several cats. He enjoyed being outdoors and he later reveled in taking trips to places like Wyoming and Montana.

Ed’s commitment to education did not end in the classroom. Ed mentored new teachers, chaperoned student dances, worked the ticket booths at the football, basketball, and wrestling games, and was a member of the high school ski club. Most importantly, he was an editor for East High School’s student newspaper, The Pegasus. Moreover, he was a father figure to anyone in need. Ed’s passion for building communities is his mark of a committed, dedicated educator. After nearly forty years, Ed retired from teaching high school in June of 2000.

When Ed realized retirement, he became a retiree member of the West Chester EASTENDERS organization. He briefly taught part-time at Delaware County Community College after retiring from secondary education. In this next chapter, Ed reveled in travels to Europe and out west to Montana and Wyoming with friends. He was always sure to return annually to Bridgeport, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia to visit with his mother, siblings, and many nieces and nephews. His surviving brother, Don, and sister, Ellen, express that they enjoyed the many years of visits and will always cherish the memories of their times with Edwin, as they lovingly called him.

Ed was also a spiritual man. He worshiped at Doe Run Presbyterian Church, where he also served as a volunteer and later as a Church Elder. It has been remarked that no one knew the Book of Order like he did. Ed loved the church community and he regarded the congregation as part of his family.

In the autumn of 2010, Ed was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He managed to live independently for several years before moving to an assisted living facility in Exton, Pennsylvania. Sunrise of Exton served as his final home and an unexpected new family and community. In his true fashion, he gave all of himself to the many other residents and staff that cared for him. He was truly appreciative of the care he received from the compassionate team within Sunrise. He loved them and would often be heard expressing his love. They loved him, too.

Ed will always be remembered as a kind, patient, and generous husband, father, teacher, church member, and friend.  His joy, kindness, and love that he exhibited will live on through everyone he knew. This is his legacy.

May he rest in peace.

Due to COVID-19, a funeral service will be held in late spring or early summer at Doe Run Presbyterian Church with a private burial to follow at Doe Run Presbyterian Cemetery. Additionally, an outdoor celebration in Ed’s memory will be coordinated for the same time as the services. Details will follow in the coming months.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations to be made to Doe Run Presbyterian Church, 3104 Doe Run Church Road, East Fallowfield, PA 19320.

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