Kenneth R Martin

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Great Kills resident Kenneth R. Martin, 77, a retired chemist, devoted family man and an avid reader and scholar, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Martin also lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., Gastonia, N.C. and Columbia, S.C., before settling in Great Kills 42 years ago.

Mr. Martin was a senior research chemist for the Lithium Corp. of America, Gastonia, N.C., for about eight years, and a project manager for Pfiser Chemical Company in New Jersey for more than 20 years, retiring about 10 years ago.

A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Mr. Martin earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Brooklyn College and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

He was a member of the scientific honor society Sigmi Xi, the Creative Photographers Guild Staten Island and the American Chemical Society. In addition to reading and scholarly pursuits, Mr. Martin enjoyed travel and photography.

He was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.

"He was a loving family man who will be missed deeply,'' said his daughter, Lynn Martin.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Mary; his son, Christopher; his daughter, Lynn Martin; his sister, Alice Radwick, and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare's R.C. Church, both in Great Kills. Burial will be in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.