Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Donald B. Martin

Male 1933 - 2013  (80 years)


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  • Name Donald B. Martin 
    Born 15 Apr 1933  [1
    Gender Male 
    Business Martin Feed Mills Ltd., Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Name Don Martin 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-252891 
    Died Apr 2013  [1
    Person ID I252891  Generations
    Last Modified 25 Apr 2024 

    Father Eli B. Martin,   b. 22 Sep 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1980  (Age 78 years) 
    Mother Mary Ann Brubacher,   b. 19 Dec 1904, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1973  (Age 68 years) 
    Family ID F41164  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Waldtraut Gertrude Wrasse 
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F230572  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Elmira loses one of its foremost citizens

      Don Martin, an Elmira native whose business ventures and volunteer activities shaped everything from this week's maple syrup festival to the very structure of the town, died this week at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener at the age of 79. Perhaps more than any other in the past half-century, Martin was instrumental in shaping development in Elmira. A prominent businessman and philanthropist, his long list of accomplishments was recognized in his induction into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame in 2008. While Martin was always modest about his contributions, there's no denying he has had a major impact on Elmira and the township in the years since being born into a conservative Mennonite family on Apr. 15, 1933.....


      ObserverXtra 5 Apr 2013 by Steve Kannon

      _____________________________________

      DONALD B. MARTIN
      1933-2013


      Donald B. Martin was raised in a conservative Mennonite family in Woolwich Township. As was common in families in his community, he quit school at age 16 and began working in carpentry and construction.

      In his mid-20s he took over the family business, Martin Feed Mills Ltd. , and built it into a significant business and employer in Elmira. Martin was also involved in the creation of more than 30 other businesses including the Elmira Land Development Company, Brox's Olde Town Village and B&L Metals.

      Martin held a number of volunteer positions both locally and nationally. He was President of the Elmira Board of Trade in 1965, the year the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival began. He also served on the Elmira High School Board and was a member of the Lions Club for 45 years. He was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow given by Lions Club International Foundation. Some of his most challenging experiences were being involved in search and rescue missions where he volunteered his airplane and piloting expertise. He was also a Mason and Shriner. Martin served nationally as Chairman of the Canadian Feed Manufacturers Association.

      He was involved in the creation of many local facilities such as the Lions Sports Park, Kissing Bridge Trail, Lions Woolwich Dam Trail and the Elmira Golf and Country Club. Martin was recognized for his community service with several awards of distinction including being named Woolwich Citizen of the Year in 1992.

      Waterloo Region Hall of Fame

  • Sources 
    1. [S1125] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Woolwich Observer (ObserverXtra), Elmira loses one of its foremost citizens 5 Apr 2013 by Steve Kannon.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - - Martin Feed Mills Ltd., Elmira, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth