Martin, David Kendall II
WILLSBORO, N.Y. — David Kendall Martin II, renowned chef and owner of Turtle Island Cafe in Willsboro, passed away Friday, September 21, 2018, at his home.
David was born October 7, 1961, grew up in West Chazy, and as an Adirondack 46er, called the mountains home.
He was a high honors graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park with accolades including multiple invitations as guest chef of the James Beard House in Manhattan and working with Wolfgang Puck at California’s Napa Valley Wine Auction. While working in the Greater Capital Region, David was an active supporter and multiple medalist in Living Resources’ annual Culinary Cornucopia. Looking to head back to the mountains, David opened the Turtle Island Cafe in Willsboro in 2004.
Second only to David’s love of cooking was his love of skiing. He was a former US Ski Team member and called Whiteface Mountain home. David could be found most days skiing at the mountain prior to heading back to the restaurant. Most recently he focused on helping others and inspiring them to catch his love of that mountain as a member of Whiteface Host Patrol. The comradery of his fellow host patrol members and the joy of helping others were reigniting his love of skiing all over again in a new way.
Left to cherish the memory of David are his loving wife Mimi; beloved daughter, Mackenzie; parents, David and Pat Martin; sisters, Annie Wallace and Liz Friedman; brother, Peter Martin; and niece and nephews, Noah, Emily, Simon, Sam, Casey, and Finn.
David’s son, Christian, predeceased him.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, September 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A celebration of David’s life will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the top of the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway. Donations in his memory may be made to an education fund for his daughter, Mackenzie; payable to: Miriam Lane. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home in Peru, NY (518) 643-9055. To offer an online condolence or share a photo in memory of David Martin, please visit www. hamiltonfuneralhome.com
p at the Junior College of Albany. As a teacher’s aide at BOCES with special education students who adored her, Jo (as known by most) shared her gift as an artist and her compassion for others.
Her career as a barkeeper led her to become the proprietor of Nick’s Tavern in Watervliet. Jo’s unending generosity and sense of humor endeared her to all she met.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Russell; her stepdaughter, Erin Russelldecker (Don); her stepsons, Andrew and Raymond Chevalier; her stepgrandchildren, Christian, Raeanne, Leland, and Jace. Her loving and devoted sisters, Eileen Mchughszepessy (Frank), Carol Mchugh, and Marybeth Wiltse (Dan); her niece, Taylor Chamberlain (Rory); nephew and godson, James Wiltse. Also survived by her lifelong friend, Karen Dipofi (Mark); and good friend, Kelly Riley (Leo) along with numerous loving cousins and many friends; and her loving cat, Russet.
The funeral service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet with a calling hour prior to the service from 9-10 a.m. Her ashes will be interred in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Community Hospice, St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.
Condolence book at Parker Brosmemorial.com.
y memory of Kay to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Please visit mcnultyfuneral homegreenisland.com for more information or to sign the guest book.
y, September 27, at Our Lady of Victory Church, Troy, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy. Relatives and friends may call at the Church from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer you acknowledge the need for quality care for the elderly by making a contribution in Mary’s memory to the Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Extension, Albany, NY.