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 For Catholics who care...

Eulogy To Dave Martin...A True Child of God 

9/18/2015

5 Comments

 
Sunday morning, our small, quaint, usually joy filled Catholic Church in Grand Gorge, NY, was filled with many grieving parishioners. Women wept and men cast their eyes down, as men do in such moments, as our pastor shared the sad news of the untimely passing of our friend and fellow disciple, Dave Martin.  Dave lived in the house directly across the street from St. Philip Neri, he greeted each day by gazing out his window at our church, and he was pleased.  It was a dwelling that Dave knew well having been Baptized at its font and he considered “this” church his second home.

As Fr. Cambi spoke, I glanced over at the pew that was Dave’s place in our congregation and I could almost see him standing there in his St. Philip Neri “Got Faith?” T-shirt, and Levys with that ornate black belt that he always wore. For a long time Dave had a little girl with him who resembled Cindy Lou Hoo.  She was his companion in Christ.  She was his gift to God and to God’s people each Sunday.  She was his granddaughter, Briell.  And that little girl reminded us not only of how beautiful innocence is, but also how we need to restore or cultivate more of her child-like nature in ourselves.  But, alas, the little girl moved away, so her place beside “Pa-pa” was vacant, and one could sense how much he missed her...how much we all missed her.

I mention Dave’s black belt because it was an unusual belt; as unusual as the man who wore it.  I recognize now that, for me, it has become a symbol of this friend I met in Church.  The years had distressed the strip of black leather.  It was not pretty, but it was soft and had great character…like Dave.  The belt was strong and durable and constant… like Dave.  It was adorned with several silver conchae that were scuffed and chinked from life’s wear and tear, but still gleamed and reflected Light…like Dave.  It was a cool-looking belt, and I had wanted it for myself for years.  Dave was a cool guy, and had a quality about him that I wanted for myself as well:  It was a joyful generosity that came from his 100 percent certainty that he was a child of God.

5 Comments
Jackie white
9/18/2015 10:47:02 am

Evelyn,,
Thank you for sharing the memory with us of a very special member of St. Philip Neri Church, Dave Martin. I just opened the directory to see him and his granddaughter Brielle. How happy they look together in that photo. May Dave Martin rest in peace.

Reply
Evelyn Augusto link
9/18/2015 11:43:41 am

AMEN! AMEN!!

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Mary Wellington
10/2/2015 02:24:58 am

Thank you for sharing that well written story. I didn't know Dave but after reading your blog you got a sense of a good man and someone missed knowing.

Reply
Mike Martin
10/21/2015 03:49:54 am

Dave was my younger brother. I miss him, he helped me when I needed it. Dave was a "steady" character. It was the only way he knew...no matter how bad things got, he just pushed on. His faith, his family and desire to make his community better were the driving forces in his life. He always told me he was happy being a small fish in a small pond ..... he had it right, do the best you can where God put you. You were a bigger fish than you ever knew.

Reply
Evelyn Augusto link
10/21/2015 06:48:42 am

Mike, thanks for sharing your thoughts about Dave with those who knew and loved him. Hope you continue to visit is here.

Reply



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