Thomas W Martin

Thomas "Tommy" Martin, 69, of Pearl River, New York, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern after a brief battle with cancer.
Born on December 11, 1956, in Nyack, New York, Tom was the beloved son of the late Eugene and Gloria Martin.
Tom spent his childhood and young adult years in Lake Placid, New York, where he lived from the mid-1950s until the early 1980s. A gifted athlete, he was an exceptional goaltender for Lake Placid High School and several other hockey teams. Hockey was more than a sport to Tom—it was part of who he was. Living in Lake Placid during the historic 1980 Winter Olympics only deepened his lifelong love for the game. Although he left Lake Placid in the early 1980s, Lake Placid never left him. He made it a point to share that love with his family, ensuring it would always be their favorite place away from home and a cherished part of their lives.
Tom dedicated more than 30 years of his life to Lederle Laboratories, later Pfizer, in Nanuet, New York, before retiring. He took great pride in his work and in the friendships he made throughout his career.
On December 13, 1986, Tom married the love of his life, Debra Smith, or as he liked to call her, “My Girl”. Together they built a life centered on love, laughter, and family.
More than anything, Tom was devoted to those he loved. He was selfless, genuine, caring, and endlessly kind. Whether speaking with a lifelong friend or someone he had just met, Tom had a remarkable way of making people feel seen and valued. He took a sincere interest in everyone he met, and his kindness was one of the qualities people remembered most about him.
Tom was immensely proud of his family. He celebrated every accomplishment of his wife, his brothers, and his children, never missing an opportunity to brag about them to anyone who would listen. His greatest joy, however, came from being "Pops" to his beloved grandchildren. It was a name he treasured, and his face lit up every time he heard it.
Outside of family, Tom enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams—the New York Yankees, New York Jets, and New York Islanders. Later in life, he developed a passion for golf, a game he enjoyed both for the challenge and the camaraderie. He could also often be found watching his favorite television show, M.A.S.H., whose humor and heart reflected much of his own.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 40 years, Debra Martin; his son, Derrik Martin, his wife, Angela, and their children, Jake and Eleanor; his daughter, Nicole Monaco, her husband, Daniel, and their son, Matteo; and his brother, Butch Martin, his wife, Lori, and their daughter, Lorissa. He also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who will miss him deeply.
He was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Gloria Martin, and his brothers, John Martin and Randy Martin.
Tom's legacy is one of kindness, generosity, quiet strength, and unconditional love. He will be remembered not only for his warm smile and gentle spirit, but also for the way he made everyone feel welcome, important, and loved. His family will forever carry with them the values he lived by, the memories he created, and the love he gave so freely. Though he may have left Lake Placid decades ago, it remained forever in his heart—just as Tom will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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