Farewell to Benny
One of Hamilton’s most respected former businessmen and public servants has passed away at the age of 82.
A huge crowd gathered at St Mary’s Church in Hamilton on October 26 to say farewell to Bernard (Benny) Martin.
Bernard, or Benny as he was to become better known, was born in Glasgow and was one of two children to Christopher and Catherine (Kelly) Martin.
The Martin family moved to Hamilton in the early 1950s and despite Benny’s academic achievements and skills leading to numerous career opportunities in various fields, he chose to stay with his family and help run a piggery on the site just next to where the Bent playing fields are now.
They also ran a coach building and car body shop business under the name of C Martin, which operated for many years and among their many loyal and satisfied customers were long-standing Hamilton businesses such as Philips Factory (London Carriers), Co-operative Funeral Services and Glass the Fruiterers.
The company diversified into haulage contracting and deliveries, where they had contracts to deliver for Bowater Scott and Cantors Furniture among several others.
Bernard met the love of his life Sheena when he moved to Hamilton. They were married in 1959 and had six children – Gerard, Anne, Bernard, Janie, Paul, Kevin and they also had 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Bernard lost his love Sheena some 12 years ago and he struggled since then, with her not being by his side to look after him.
When Bernard was well into his 50s, and still doing all those long hours to keep the business going, he decided to accept one of the many offers he was made to close the business and sell the site it was on to a building company – Whatlings.
After the sale had gone through, a motion was presented and passed at a Hamilton District Council Committee meeting that there should be something done to commemorate the business, so it was agreed that the block of flats built on the site should be called Martin Court after him and his parents.
Although Bernard had retired from the business, he wasn’t ready to hang up his working boots and he took up a post with Hamilton District Council as a hallkeeper, initially in Eddlewood Neighbourhood Hall before moving to Ferniegair Hall where he spent his last working years and was warmly welcomed and appreciated by the community and hall users there.
He was a true family man who worked long and hard running his business and quite often this meant going through the night to get the job done.
The family were very dear to him. Bernard and Sheena raised their six children in Arden Road, Fairhill.
He was described by his family as “a humble, gentle man whose morals and principles could not be questioned”.
As well as his love for his family Bernard also had a number of other passions in his life including his greyhounds and racing pigeons.
He held many posts of office in the racing pigeon fraternity and carried out his roles with dignity and respect.