Douglas Vincent Martino

October 17, 1948 March 22, 2016

It has been one year since Douglas Martino left this world. His devoted wife, his dear friends, and extended family still remember his loyalty, his willingness to help, his kindness of heart, and his gentleness of soul. He was born in San Francisco and was proud of the fact he was fourth generation.

Doug was bigger than life at 6’ 4” with a hearty laugh and a booming voice to match. He had strawberry colored hair, blue gray eyes, and large hands that were meant to ‘till the soil.’ Gardening was his passion and he was overjoyed to find his dream job as a SF city gardener for forty-one years with twenty of those years spent in the John McLaren Rhododendron Dell in Golden Gate Park. The ‘Rhodie Dell’ was recognized as having the largest municipal collection of rhododendrons in the country and that distinction continued to grow under Doug’s guidance and maintenance. San Franciscans and visitors from all over the world would come each year to see the massive spring blooms.

A tireless worker who without pay, often stayed well beyond the end of his work shift just to finish a task. His dedication to the job and to serving the public endeared him to park users many of who became close friends.

Unfortunately when the historical John McLaren Rhododendron Dell suffered severe damage from several strong winter storms, coupled with mismanagement and lack of support from Park administrators, Doug, broken hearted, decided to leave his beloved ‘Rhodie Dell’ and finish out his career in the Urban Forestry Division in Golden Gate Park. There, with constant support from the division’s management, he knew he could be productive clearing land and planting to his hearts content young tree seedlings and windbreak shrubbery.

Thank you Doug, my honey, my Lumber Boy, for all the wonderful years we had together, you will forever live in our memories and in our hearts, from your loving wife and Logger Woman, Joanie and from all the people who loved you dearly.