Albert Martin Obituary – CA – East Bay Times

ALBERT R. MARTIN Al passed away peacefully with his sons by his side December 7, 2004, in north Fremont, just a stone’s throw from where he was born November 21, 1918. He was 86 years old. Al “Moxie,” as he was known to many of his friends, was a lifelong Fremont resident, only leaving the area for four years of service to his country during World War II. He married Adeline Amaral January 4, 1942, and raised his family on the property his grandfather bought in the 1880s. Al loved the horse races. He would read anything he could on handicapping, and would pour over the racing forms for hours before placing his bets. He was an avid boxing fan, having boxed himself. Al was instrumental in the building of self-esteem in young boys through his coaching at the Hayward and Fremont Boy’s Clubs and at his home. He taught boxing for many years to young boys as young as seven years old, teaching them to be very skilled competitors. Al was proud to be a “professional salesman,” having sold cars most of his working life at car dealerships in Fremont, Hayward, San Leandro, Oakland and Alameda. He always went to work handsome in his neatly pressed suit and polished wing tip shoes. He worked at Turner Buick in Hayward from 1958-71, and returning in 1975 until his retirement in 1979. He knew the bad reputation of the car salesman and always did his best to change it. He had an amazing skill at remembering his customers, their names, where they worked, etcetera. He would often walk up and shake their hand when he ran into them many years after they bought their car. Al could train animals to do almost anything. His horses and dogs were always the best behaved. He roped skillfully as well and attended parades on his horse. Al served this country during World War II overseas in Australia, New Guinea and elsewhere in the Army Military Police, and other duties. He and his wife, Adeline, had a restaurant next to the Center Theater on Fremont Blvd. in the late 1940s. Al loved to cook and passed the love of cooking and food on to others. He is survived by his sister, Bernadette Allen and her husband, Bob, of Danville; children, Judith Howell and her husband, Rory, of Dos Palos, Russell Martin and his wife, Marlene, and Brian Martin and his wife, Melanie, of Fremont; grandchildren, Jeanette, Katrina, Joseph, Matthew, Jillian, Anne, Valerie, Nicholas and Dorothy; great-granddaughter, Katie. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Adeline. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m., with a Rosary at 4 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 12, at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, (510) 797-1900. Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, Monday, December 13, 2004, at 10 a.m.