Larry Martin Sr.

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Larry Martin Sr.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Age: 69

Location:
Wyoming
Grand Rapids , MI
United States

From MLive

WYOMING -- Loved ones described Larry Martin as a big-hearted
volunteer and doting grandfather who died doing what he loved --
training for an upcoming bicycle ride across Iowa.

Martin, 69, died at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids on Saturday night after succumbing to injuries sustained about 6:25 p.m., when he was struck heading east on his bicycle by a car traveling south on Byron Center Ave SW at the M-6 bike trail crosswalk.

Family members are concerned about the signal timing of the crosswalk, which they believe is too short for pedestrians.

"I miss him terribly," said his wife of 42 years, Faith Martin. "I'm still in disbelief."

Martin was a Lowell native and descendent of the Fallas pioneer family who founded the historic Fallasburg village on the Flat River.

He also was a member of the Mayflower Society, whose members trace
their lineage back to one of the 102 original Pilgrim settlers of
Massachusetts.

Martin's Facebook page
filled with condolences on Sunday following the news of his death, from
friends who knew him from volunteering and other organizations.

Martin was a regular presence at God's Kitchen. He also rode to
benefit the MS Society, was involved with the Fallasburg Historical
Society and was a trustee at Grandville-Jenison Congregational Church.

"I've never known anyone who was so involved, so passionate and so
dedicated," wrote friend Anne Wester. "Knowing him has made me reflect
on how I live my own life."

Martin was a graduate of Lowell High School and Grand Rapids
Community College. He became a realtor in 1962 and since 1992 has worked
with his son, Larry Martin Jr., at Realty Executives Platinum Group in
Grandville.

He got into bicycle riding after having heart surgery and beating
prostate cancer, said his wife. He was planning to take part in the 17th
Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour in Fallasburg on Sunday.

A member of the Rapid Wheelmen cycling club, Martin rode for the pleasure of riding, not to race, she said.

He would ride in the annual Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle
Tour and was "counting down the days" until he could join The Whiners
team on the RAGBRAI ride across Iowa starting July 24.

"Dad always wanted things done right and wanted you to do the right thing," said Martin Jr.

He disputes a police report indicating his father may have been
improperly crossing the road against a "No Walk" sign, as the Kent
County Sheriff's Department said happened when he was hit.

Martin Jr. timed the light this weekend and said a pedestrian only
has six seconds to cross six lanes of road before motorized traffic gets
the right of way.

"The light is too short," he said. "A slower person is going to get hit."

He's asked the Sheriff's Department to look into adjusting the signal
scheduling. Several people posting online, after they heard about
Martin's death, also said the intersection was particularly dangerous
for pedestrians.

Martin Jr. said the family "isn't holding anything against" the driver who stuck his father.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Cook Funeral and Cremations
Services. Martin is survived by his wife, son, daughter Susan, sister
Suzanne, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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