Leonard E. Martin

Family and friends mourn the passing of Leonard E. Martin, 92, on Sunday, March 12th, 2023. Born in Wilkes-Barre on Jan 15th, 1931, Leonard was the son of the late Raymond and Augusta Martin; brother to the late Eleanore Martin (his twin sister), R. Spencer Martin, and Marion Frantz; grandfather, great-grandfather; uncle to many nieces and nephews; and loving husband of the late Louise E. Martin who preceded him in death on February 22, 2023.

Leonard was a lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre and graduated in 1948 from E.L. Meyers High School where he met his late wife, Louise. After high school, Leonard attended Elgin College for Watchmaking, earning his degree in 1950. He operated a small watch-repair business out of his home for several years, repairing wristwatches, stopwatches, and large community clocks (e.g., Wyoming Seminary Clocktower) alike. In parallel to his watchmaking/repair business, Leonard (aka, Lenny) also worked at C.W. Schultz & Son, Inc., first as a plumber and then eventually as the Head of Sales. He was a Master Electrician, Master Plumber, and known as the ‘go-to problem-solver.’ He retired from Schultz’s in 2016 at the age of 85 after serving 66 years at the company.

Leonard and Louise, married for nearly 66 years, were an active couple, enjoying bowling, square-dancing with the Circle Eighters, singing in the choral ensemble at The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, and spending time at St. John’s Lutheran Church where Leonard served on church Council, was Chair of the Property Committee, and sang in the Chancel Choir. Leonard was an ever-present father who enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren the value of figuring things out. He epitomized the term “do-it-yourself” and spent much of his free time educating his four children on how to use tools to make and repair things, how to problem-solve electrical and mechanical failures, and how to maintain a home. Leonard, having been made a Mason on January 13, 1965, lived his life according to the virtues of the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and was a member and supporter of both the Irem Shriners and Masonic Lodge.

Surviving Leonard are his four children: Virginia Crossin and her husband Richard, Kingston; Douglas Martin and his wife Bernadette, Dallas; Matthew Martin and his wife Amy, Mountain Top; Allison Nguyen and her husband Thuong, Wyncote; and 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild who will dearly miss him: Andrew, Julia and Elizabeth Crossin; Chelsea and Amanda Martin; Samantha Martin-Loftus (Michael), Jacob and Alex Martin; Elsa and Abigail Nguyen; and Eleanor Jean Loftus.

Leonard will be missed by the many people who knew him and had the opportunity to experience his playful wit and never-ending inquisitive mind. He was a loving dad, devoted husband, a teacher and advisor, an honest man, and an irreplaceable role-model for his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Shriners Hospitals for Children  https://lovetotherescue.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give) or the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company (https://barnegatlightfiresales.square.site).

The funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 AM at Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral & Cremation Services, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may visit from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leonard E. Martin, please visit our floral store.