Martin Roy First

Martin Roy First, beloved husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 18th, 2025 at the age of 82. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Pearl and Solomon First, Martin’s life was defined by his unwavering compassion, fierce integrity, sharp wit, and a profound sense of justice rooted in his early life experiences.

In 1971, Martin made the courageous decision to leave apartheid-era South Africa, arriving in the United States with his wife, a baby, a toddler, two suitcases, and $1,000. He never looked back, building a life devoted to healing, family, and justice.

Roy was a larger-than-life personality—funny, unfiltered, and unforgettable. He was a legendary prankster, notoriously known for stealing his parents’ car before he had his driver’s license. But behind the mischief was a deeply kind, empathetic man. He was loyal, dependable, and the person you called in a crisis—not just because he was a doctor, but because he was a rock. He listened, he advised, and he cared.

A devoted husband and father, Roy poured himself into his family. He was a committed soccer dad—so passionate that he once received a red card for defending a player being unfairly targeted, only to continue watching the game defiantly from a hill above

the field. He was also a relentless feeder of family pets, especially his beloved granddog Fenway and former family dog Sydney.

Professionally, Roy was a giant in the field of transplant nephrology. A graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand Health Sciences in 1966, he went on to a distinguished career at the University of Cincinnati and beyond. He authored more than 400 publications and presented and lectured around the world. He advanced immunosuppressant drug research and helped revolutionize kidney transplant medicine. He served as President of the American Society of Transplantation and received its Lifetime Achievement Award. He later held senior leadership roles at Astellas Pharma and Transplant Genomics, always staying on the cutting edge of science and patient care.

But Roy was not only a scientist—he was a healer. He treated his patients as if they were family, sometimes working 18-hour days, fighting systemic inequities, and improving countless lives through transplantation. He attended patients' weddings and even flew halfway around the world to consult for royalty. He met one US president, another first lady, other world leaders and even had an audience with the pope as a result of his selfless concern for the well-being of others. Roy never stopped advocating for those in need.

Roy’s passions included sports, travel, food and wine. He analyzed sports stats with uncanny recall, and became a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Bengals—even subjecting his family to the subzero “Freezer Bowl” in 1981. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of golf, cricket, soccer, football and rugby. Along with his wife, he was a foodie and wine connoisseur. He was able to tell the exact amount of alcohol percentage and flavors of wine with one smell and sip. He had an ever-present sense of humor that made even the toughest situations more bearable.

Roy faced his final challenge—lung cancer—with the same bravery, honesty, and clarity he brought to every part of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Bobbie) First, his brothers Brian and Howard First, his devoted children, Steven and his wife Jill First and Leonora (Leigh) First Del Sesto and her husband Richard (Rick) Del Sesto, grandchildren, Micheal Del Sesto, Ethan First, Matthew Del Sesto and Jackson First, and many who considered him chosen family. He leaves behind not only a towering medical legacy but a blueprint for living with purpose, principle, and love.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

His Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 10:00 am in Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence. Burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery.

Those that were unable to attend services in person may view a recording of the funeral service here https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/nVGEofzZHBy85MyWLWW-4Us_Lye2JlYEPRRNw7FesvZ-CvDZ8fbyJz-eljCvKtvb.d_T1sBOoTw2XoDJy?startTime=1753279364000 or by using the link below.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or to the American Lung Association, 235 Promenade St Suite 125, Providence, RI 02908