Martin was born on November 17th, 1956 at home in Norden, Lancashire, England. He was the first child of Nora Tomlinson Peach and Fred Peach who were married on June 6th, 1954 at Mount Pleasant Chapel in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.
Martin moved with the family to Abergavenny, Monmouthshire in 1960 where he attended Park Street School. In 1965 the family moved again to Accrington, Lancashire where he attended Huncoat School.
In July 1966, he emigrated to Sorel, Québec, Canada with the family. There Martin attended grades 6-8 at Harold Sheppard School in Tracy. In 1969 we moved to Otterburn Park, Québec where he attended Richelieu Valley Regional High School for grades 9 to 11, graduating in 1972. He was in the Biology Club there and often brought home various animals to be with us for the summer holidays.
Martin proceeded to McGill CEGEP where he graduated in 1974. He then went to McGill University beginning a bachelor’s degree in Biology which he did not complete. Instead he went to Parson’s School of Design in New York City to study commercial art for a year.
Between 1979 and 1984 after finishing his formal education, Martin travelled to England and Israel, worked at Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel with friends before returning home to Quebec. Here he pursued his interests in computer technology, nature and ecology, cycling, the outdoors, world affairs and climate change, eventually living in a caboose on the family property in Mansonville, Eastern Townships. He began publicly displaying his electronic art skills through contributing sound and light shows to accompany music for friends.
An avid reader and internet researcher, Martin developed a unique combination of technical skills and knowledge unattainable through formal academic education. He was a very thoughtful, self-educated person much concerned with the state of the natural and human world. He wasn’t a typical Canadian, since he didn’t particularly enjoy sports, but contributed a lot in other ways.
When Nora and Fred moved to Nova Scotia in 1996, Martin accompanied them to their new home but soon decided to return to Montréal where he resided for the final 25 years of his life.
Martin was a greatly beloved and respected technician in the Intermedia Studio Arts Department at Concordia University. Since 2001, Martin has been helping students realize their media arts projects. He was nicknamed ‘the wizard’ since no idea or problem - however grand or complex - was too difficult for him to solve. He was a brilliant programmer, circuit and sound designer. With his originality, creativity and phenomenal expertise, he inspired and mentored many generations of artists.
Martin was also a valued contributor and collaborator in many artists’ studios including those of Bill Vorn, Lorraine Oades, Barbara Layne, Ingrid Bachmann and many, many more. His expertise and generosity will remain a lasting contribution to the Electronic Arts in Canada.
Martin’s primary and favourite mode of transportation was the bicycle – winter and summer.
Martin was predeceased by his father Fred Peach in 2011. He leaves his mother, Nora Tomlinson Peach in Clementsport, NS; sister Alison Peach (Peter Holloway), Bath, UK; sister Judith Peach, Clementsport, NS; sister Kate (Anne) Peach (Peter Dawson) Bragg Creek, AB; nephew Owain Roland Peach Nicholson, New Denver, BC; nephew Liam Alexander Peach Dawson, Bragg Creek. He also leaves his treasured cat of many years, Beany.
Martin will be greatly missed and his legacy will continue in the artworks he helped to create, the students he inspired, and in the memories of all those who knew him.
Martin’s body has been cremated. A private memorial will be held by the family later this summer and a memorial is planned for September at Concordia University.
The family would like to thank all of Martin's friends and associates at Concordia University for their appreciation of his talents and especially Ingrid Bachmann for her help making connections and for her contribution to this obituary including the photograph.
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