Alexander Peter Martin

Of Falls Church, VA, beloved son of Lynn Rozental and Christopher Martin, Alexander Peter Martin died at age 23 on March 16 from complications of bipolar disorder. Alex lived with this challenging and painful condition for many years and although he was strong and determined, this disease claims promising lives. Every day with Alex was a gift -- to his loving, large extended family, circle of friends, and dogs Travis and Max. We celebrate Alex’s many gifts and many happy times. Alex chose to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette because it meant he could spend more time with his uncle and aunt, and they made the city his new home. He loved his studies in chemistry and math, and after graduation in December, 2017 with a B.S. in Chemistry, he was looking forward to working in his field and was considering graduate school in biochemistry. He was in love with a wonderful young woman, had adopted exuberant canine friend Max, and was full of plans for the future. Alex was a natural athlete who played many sports throughout his school years. He especially loved football and found a way to continue to participate in the sport by serving as an assistant coach with youth teams in Virginia and at the high school in Lafayette. He loved mentoring the kids, and they enjoyed him as the cooler, younger coach. Alex had a kind and generous heart and a wonderful smile, and possessed a special sensitivity to the values of faith and family. He had an earnest spiritual life, built on the foundation of his Episcopalian upbringing and inquiring into the Catholic faith of his extended family. He especially enjoyed attending family reunions, which were a big tradition on both sides of his family, and he never missed one. He was a fun and loving son, grandson, nephew and cousin who loved animals, was nice to little children, and always helped people get their suitcases down from the storage bin. We are so very proud of Alex, and we will miss him every day. A Celebration in Thanksgiving for the Life of Alex will be on Wednesday, March 28 at 11 a.m., Church of the Holy Cross, 2455 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027. A reception at the church immediately follows. Interment private at a later date. An informal celebration and memorial will also be held for Alex's friends in Lafayette at the home of his Uncle Haywood and Aunt Clarity at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 25. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex's memory may be made to the "Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)." Our family asks that you help us remember Alex by sharing your own happy memories of him with a brief note by mail or online at this memorial page. Nothing would mean more to us. Thank you, and tell everybody you love that you love them. Often.