Michael Jake Martin

August 15, 1955 – June 19, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Jake Martin, age 69, June 19, 2025 – Juneteenth- at his home in the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco, California after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Jake was born on August 15, 1955, in the rural town of Aurora, just outside Denver, Colorado, at Fitzsimons Army Hospital. He is predeceased by mother, Georgianna Pearl Hug-Martin and Father, Jesse Hestin Martin of Illinois. Jake was one of seven brothers and sisters. Pre-deceased by brother James Martin and sister Deborah Martin-Finnerty (Jim-“Rudy”). Tragically, his brother William Martin (Fran) died one week after Michael’s passing. Survived by siblings Thomas Martin (Susan), Barbara Martin-Riker (David), and Nancy Martin-Bready (Don). The Martin/Hug Family is very large, extending across California, Illinois, Texas, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Minnesota, and New York States, with over 50 first, great, and great-great nieces and nephews. Jake was very proud of his extended family members.

As a boy, and an Air Force brat, Jake lived mostly between Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado and Scott Air Force Base in Bellville, Illinois. After the passing of his father, Jesse Martin, the family relocated to Syracuse, New York, where Jake attended East Syracuse Central School District, graduating from East Syracuse-Minoa High School in 1973.

Following in the footsteps of his father and his three brothers, Jake enlisted into the Air Force. He demonstrated strong language aptitude and was initially stationed at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA to achieve Russian language proficiency. After 34 weeks of language training, and then further technical training (SERE school and flight operations), he was stationed at Athens, Greece as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist engaged in military intelligence

collection and analysis. As part of an Airborne Combat Crew, he flew on dangerous missions throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

After his honorable discharge from his exceptional military service, Jake settled on the West Coast and attended San Francisco State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Drama in 1994. Thereafter, he received his Master of Social Work in 1996. He furthered his credentials by obtaining his license as a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). Jake worked as a Social Worker at the Veterans Administration Health Care System Center for Development and Civic Engagement as well as the Director of the Homeless Services for the San Francisco VA Health Care System. As the Director, Jake spearheaded several VA homeless initiatives. In 2015, Jake collaborated with several governmental entities, including President Obama, to end homelessness over the span of five years across the Nation, leveraging programs such as HUD-VASH. The Housing and Urban Development-VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines housing assistance with supportive services to help homeless veterans secure permanent housing and improve their quality of life.

Not only did Jake have a passion for ending homelessness across the Nation, and particularly within the Veteran population, but he also made a huge impact on the San Francisco VA Downtown Clinic, supervising the social workers who served this special population. Jake modeled the way for social work practitioners, fostering the compassion, dedication, and kindness that our veteran population deserves. He worked hard every day to ensure that these professionals had the resources, tools, and support they needed to assist veterans in need with dignity. Jake retired from the San Francisco VA Downtown Clinic in 2018 leaving a lasting impression.

Jake’s passing on Juneteenth carries profound significance, intertwining his life’s work with the very spirit of the day. As a fierce advocate for the LGBTQAI+ community and all those historically marginalized or rejected for living authentically, Jake dedicated his life to amplifying voices too often left unheard. Juneteenth itself stands as a testament to freedom, cultural recognition, and the enduring achievements of those who have struggled against oppression. His death on this day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for equity, justice, and the resilience needed to foster hope and belonging within our communities. May the celebration of Juneteenth forever honor not only the progress it marks but also the legacy of those like Jake—who broadened awareness, sparked conversations, and inspired others to continue pushing for a world where everyone is free to live and love openly.

Jake was a colleague, neighbor, brother, uncle, friend, and confidante. His personality was larger than life-personable, humorous, generous to a fault, and available to everyone in need-no matter for what and when. He enjoyed traveling with his friends to Palm Springs, hiking, traveling, eating the finest cuisine and drinking expensive wine (sprinkled with junk food and snacks), perhaps all while listening to Bruce Springsteen. Jake was an avid supporter of the arts as seen by the eclectic art collection; while he was addicted to those steals and deals tchotchkes found on

the early morning talk shows. Even if he needed the product or not, he would buy 10 of the items (LED Lighters, for example) because it was the latest and greatest, and it was such a good deal, and of course, because someone else might need one someday.

Jake made an incredible impact far and wide. Whatever you referred to him as, Uncle Mike and/or Jake would say, “Take it easy and be good, if you want to” (Grin).

There will be two Celebrations of Life for Michael Jake Martin. Please feel free to join whichever location fits best into your schedule and/or both.

West Coast:

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.at the San Francisco Columbarium, 1 Loraine Court, San Francisco, California 94118 to honor his legacy with friends and family in the West coast.

East Coast:

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, Michael’s birthday, at 10:00 a.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery, 800 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse, New York 13203 to honor his legacy with friends and family in the East coast where he will be placed in his final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following based on Jake’s passions:

Support the SF LGBT Center - SF LGBT Center

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