Hector Alexander Martin, 82, was born to Pearlina and Amrit Martin on September 2, 1942, in Brittonville, a rural village in St. Ann, Jamaica. The second of three children, including sister Marjorie and brother Milton, he was affectionately known as Boyee until he entered Calabar High School in Kingston, where he became popularly known as Timothy (Timo). After graduating from Calabar, he worked at Jamaica Bauxite Company at Alpath. He then received a scholarship to the University of the West Indies (UWI).
After earning a degree in Chemistry and Zoology, he worked at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery, traveling throughout the Caribbean and South America. He again earned a scholarship, this time to study Marine Biology in Great Britain, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, and Bergen, Norway.
At UWI, he met his lifelong partner, Beverly Roberts. Bev and Timo were married in 1967 in Kingston. They welcomed their firstborn son, Wayne, in 1968. After emigrating to the United States, they welcomed two more children: Raymond in 1970 and Lorraine in 1978.
Upon arrival in New York, Timo began a 50-year career as a chemist, working in quality control and manufacturing for popular products such as Skippy Peanut Butter and Hellman’s Mayonnaise. He traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe researching fats, oils, and soybeans. As a member of the Oil Chemists Society, he published several papers on the use of soybeans. He also completed courses in food research at Columbia University and US Packaging and Wrapping. The family relocated to High Point in 1990, where he continued to work in quality control for Knorr Best Foods.
Timo enjoyed playing dominoes and entertaining his family and friends with parties, celebrations, and festivities. He was often the life of the party with an infectious laugh, sharp wit, and uproarious sense of humor. His end-of-year recap, known as the “Triad Brukings” was a favorite holiday tradition among his friends in Greensboro. Timo was keenly interested in nature, science, and sports (particularly cricket, soccer, and horse racing). He was an exceptional orator, a talented writer and poet, a voracious reader, and an excellent conversationalist, well respected by his colleagues, friends, and family.
He is survived by his loving wife Beverly, children Wayne, Raymond, and Lorraine, grandson Marlon, sister Marjorie, brother Milton, niece Mekeda, nephew Kharl, and a host of family and friends.
Hector's service will be held at 2pm on Friday, February 21st, at Sechrest-Davis Funerals & Cremations in High Point. Inurnment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens in Jamestown, NC.
Online condolences for the Martin family may be made at www.sechrestdavisphillipsavenue.com.
