POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – John Martyn, 91, of Jensen Beach, Florida, former resident of Poughkeepsie, died Friday, Dec. 4 at Vassar Brothers Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born Aug. 10, 1924, in Swansea, Wales, the only child of Ernest and Mary (John) Martyn. He immigrated to the U.S. with his parents, graduated Tottenville High School in Staten Island and shortly thereafter served his country in the U.S. Army, in Company "A" of the 710th Tank Battalion. Attached to the 1st Marine Division, he earned an American Service Medal, Asiatic Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, two Purple Hearts, four Battle Stars and a Philippines Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star.
Upon discharge from the U.S. Army, he attended Syracuse University and obtained a bachelor’s degree, a master's degree and principal and superintendent certificates. He taught at Syracuse University and SUNY Geneseo in the education departments before beginning his administrative career as a principal in Canastota, Averill Park, Morrisville and finally Spackenkill Union Free Schools, where he served as principal of Martha Lawrence Elementary and the first principal of Hagan Elementary School, and for a short period as acting district principal. He retired in 1979.
While attending Syracuse University in 1949, he married the love of his life, the former Carol Dibble, who predeceased him in 2007. John and Carol enjoyed 58 years of marriage, and spent their retirement summers at their beloved Hatch Lake in Eaton and winters in Jensen Beach, Florida.
He is survived by his son, Breck Martyn and his wife, Terri, of Poughkeepsie; his daughter, Kristi Noyes, and her husband Geoff, of Sherrill; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren of Fort Collins, Colorado.
At the request of the family, a private service will be held at their convenience.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Hatch Lake – Bradley Brook Lakes Association, Inc., PO Box 71 Eaton, NY 13334. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie.
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