Joseph Stanley Martin

Joseph Stanley Martin passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026. He was born February 20, 1944, to Stanley and Helen Martin in Windsor, Ontario, the youngest of four children and the beloved baby brother to Sally, Nancy and Helen.

Joe’s childhood was spent collecting native arrowheads, swimming, and playing hockey. He had many fond memories and stories of his grandfather’s cabin on the Au Sable River…a spot that continued to hold space in his heart for his whole life. He was a 1962 graduate of Cass Technical High School, to which he would travel every day on “the tunnel bus” from Windsor. When talking about Cass he would name-drop with glee that he went to school with Diana Ross.

Joe had a great love of history – especially French-Canadian history and history of the Great Lakes indigenous peoples. He shared much of the lore with his children and grandchildren and researched his family genealogy before there was Ancestry. His investigation traced his family lineage in the Detroit/Windsor area back to the late 16th century fur trappers and voyageurs. He took great pride in this fact and liked to say his family spent 400 years paddling the canoe back and forth across the Detroit River.

As a young man he married Cheryle Martin (Jewhurst) with whom he had his daughters Kristin and Ren. They were married 20 years and began their lives together in St. Catharine’s, Ontario where Joe began an illustrious sales career. He started at Gale Electric under the tutelage of his mentor and friend Joe Schoenith. A great storyteller with a fabulous smile, entertaining personality, and quick wit, sales was the perfect career for Joe. His business abilities were widely recognized and Crain’s Detroit Business awarded him as Distinguished Sales and Marketing Professional in the mid-1990s. In addition, his achievements were saluted with several other awards and accolades. Never one to really settle into retirement Joe’s sales career culminated in his book, “How to Master Affiliate Marketing.” He also spent the last many years establishing WebsiteX Network with Piyush Rawat, his partner in India, with whom he spoke every day for over 15 years but never once met in person. Piyush called Joe, “Papa Father,” which was fitting even though they were professional colleagues.

In addition to his sales and marketing career, Joe was a professional hockey referee in the NHL and liked to remind people that this was before helmets and mouth guards. He kept a big chunk of bricks from the old Olympia Stadium in his office – a nod to not only his love of hockey and being a referee, but also to his love of “old Detroit.” He also spent time in the 1970s coaching and reffing in local youth hockey and is remembered fondly by former players.

Joe was married to Linda Martin (Militello Damioli) for the last 36 years. Together they blended their families and created a home that was the site for many gatherings. He and Linda created an oasis in their St. Clair Shores backyard, and it was a special place for many. The friends of his children gathered too and always admired him and sought life and business counsel from him. He was happy to hold court.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife Linda, his children Kristin (Erik Duus), Ren (Mike Klimowicz), Tony (Debbie), and Tamyra (Matt Stusick). He was a much-loved Papa to Joe, Matthew, Lolly, Charlotte, Olivia, Alex, Michael, Dominic, and Emme. Cherished neighbor and friend to many in the Eagle Pointe neighborhood for over 50 years. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life and dinner will be held on Friday, January 23, 6:00 pm at the Italian American Cultural Society, 43843 Romeo Plank in Clinton Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions in Joe's honor be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project.