John Dennis Martin
July 22, 1914 - April 5, 2006
“I can't think of anything more that could have been done at a time when I needed help and care.”
Jean P. Seattle
“We received outstanding service, from front desk to funeral director to family service and beyond.”
Deborah M. SeaTac
“The staff went out of their way to show us kindness and helped with several additional needs.”
Norma N. Auburn
“The staff was prompt, courteous, helpful, and most of all, caring.”
Leslie W. Tacoma
“They really care for people and go out of their way to make things easier.”
Kathleen S. Federal Way
“The funeral home is a nice, warm and inviting place. Thank you for your kindness in our loss.”
Deborah N. Burien
“We are so pleased with Bonney Watson. They were very professional in every way.”
Anita H. Normandy Park
Sorry to hear of your loss. Johnny was a good man, and always good to me and my family. He will be missed greatly.
Ken Johnson Ballard Camera
Johnny & Catherine were long-time South Dakota friends of my folks, Jute & Wod Schlimgen. They all came out to Seattle in the 30s, got jobs, raised families, resettled in the NW. Growing up we saw a lot of the Martins. Catherine and my mother brought us kids camping to Deception Pass; we had a lot of fun together. Johnny called Mom a couple times this past year since Catherine’s death — my dad died in l969 but those old friendships still hold true. Mom is 98 and lives next door to me in Anacortes. I attended Catherine’s funeral but won’t be able to get to Seattle for Johnny’s but we’re sending our love to Jim and the family. Mom was a Hasslinger maiden name and I know several of my Hasslinger cousins are coming to Johnny’s rosary and funeral to represent these lifelong friends of our parents.
Johnny Martin will be sorely missed by all who knew him. I personally haven’t seen him in over 13 years. However his passing affects me like I had just seen him yesterday. Johnny was my first real boss when I was a teenager. Even though I stood shoulder to shoulder with him his loud voice and gruff demeanor always got me moving a little faster. He was a small man in stature, but a big big man inside. He always had a presence about him that demanded respect. I learned a great deal from Johnny. His work ethic was impeccable,and to this day I still try to duplicate this. The passion he had for his business, family, and employees was second to none. Johnny would literally give you the shirt off his back. There were many qualities I admired about Johnny. The most important being that he was a self made man. He took Ballard Blossom from a tiny little shop to one of the biggest florists on the west coast. One other thing I admired about him was that he handled his business first hand. Most people in business today delegate everything out. Johnny however would involve himself in everything from billing right down to me who dumped the trash and cleaned out the vans. Nothing ever got by him. Johnny was truly from the old school. You don’t find the same atmosphere at work that you did when Johnny was around in work places today. The world could learn a lot from him and how he handled things. I would like to thank him for hiring me and teaching me so much. While most of my friends had jobs flipping burgers, or bagging groceries, I had the privilege to work for Johnny and such a great company. I took a lot of ribbing and joking from my friends for working in a flower shop, but I never cared because I knew I was getting way more experience then they were. Experience about life, work ethic, and always doing the right thing. Seattle and Ballard lost one of its true ICON’s and business pioneers on Tuesday. Johnny will be missed. However for those of us who had the privelege to know him we will always remember him fondly in our hearts and memories.
I was fortunate to work for Johnny Martin for 6 years 1974 – 1979
Johnny and Jim started me out sweeping floors, delivering flowers, setting up weddings and eventually managing the back room delivery staff. It was the best 6 years of my working life.
Some of my fondest memories with John and Catherine were after a long work week John liked to go to dinner in his restored Ford he called ”Blue Bell”.
My wife Chris and I would drive and have dinner with them and make sure they got home safe.
John is in a safe place with Catherine now. God Bless you John Martin! You will never be forgotten.
Bill Woody Woodworth
We were very sad to hear about John. I had the pleasure of working for him and Martin cooking for him and Catherine. John was a very special person to both of us and we will miss him greatly.
Lisa & Martin Douge
I was sorry that I wasn’t able to attend John’s service. He would have understood, because it was Easter week, and I am now working at Stadium Flowers in Lynnwood. Not a day goes by when I am working that I don’t think how John would have had a fit that there were mini carnations in with the poms, or that someone cut a long stem rose too short ‘That’s what they’re paying for!’. I remember him every time I sweep the floor, and I thank him so much for teaching me a work ethic that has stuck with me my entire life. John was like a second dad to me. I really thought he would be there forever. He will really be missed.
John Martin was one of the few persons in one’s life excluding parents in which one would be comforted knowing that they, simply, were there. But, his passing this past April has changed things for us all. RIP, John. Your unending dedication to that flower shop set in motion the hearts and minds of a long list of dedicated employees.