Warren Bradley Martin

Warren Bradley Martin was born on February 7, 1962, on a blustery day in Waterbury, Connecticut. After a neighbor, trying to ease his mom’s mind about getting to the hospital from Spindle Hill Road, suggested that she could go by helicopter, Mrs. Martin immediately checked herself into the hospital for what she thought was a week’s rest before her baby’s arrival. Warren had different ideas and was born later that day.

He joined big brother, Randy, mom and dad, in moving to New Jersey before settling in Schenectady, New York, where the Martins welcomed their youngest son, Ken, and the family was complete.

After several moves, Schenectady was the place both Martins were eager to put down roots. They bought a house on a quiet, residential street, the boys made friends, and they planned to make this their permanent home. Warren began kindergarten there, riding the bus to St. Madeline Sophie Catholic School. He had great memories of attending that school and would often speak about the things, even at an early age, that he learned there.

Like most families in the sixties, however, the Martin’s were willing to consider relocation for a promotion or job change and in this case the position offered to Mr. Martin was across the country in Orange County, CA.

This decision was not made lightly. There were things to consider. Even though they had moved several times, they had remained within a day’s drive of the McGuinness family who lived in the Bronx and the Martin’s who lived in upstate New York. Family was important to them and it would be hard to leave the comfort and closeness of their loved ones.

However, after returning to New York from a business trip in California on what he described as a frigid winter night, Warren’s dad found himself facing a car buried in snow and ice, and the decision was made: they would move to California.

Once settled in Garden Grove, all three boys attended St. Columban Catholic School and Warren did well, serving as an altar server for several years. It was during this time that he began piano lessons – learning skills he would use to teach and motivate students in the future. He also delivered newspapers early each morning – a job that helped him develop sense of responsibility and dedication. He attended Garden Grove High School where he played in the jazz band and worked at Disneyland on the weekends. He attended Mt. San Antonio College, where he joined the flying team and sat for his pilot’s license. He really enjoyed the flying competitions and made great friends as he became an integral part of this exciting club. Warren, ever the multi tasker, was working full time, going to school full time and still found time to teach piano, leaving all day Sunday for homework!

Besides his love of flying and of airplanes, Warren loved music and later in life became interested in photography, so much so that his mom complained that Warren was never in family photographs because he took them all!

Warren joined the teaching staff at Martin Music Center in 1982 and with Randy, and sister-in-law, Sandra, they built an award-winning music school. It was here, at Martin Music Center that Warren made an impact on his students, combining musical knowledge with patience and kindness that propelled many of them to go on to win major awards and to enjoy for their own purposes, the love of music.

Throughout this time, he also worked for Ameriflight and later the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Aero Bureau, and loved his time at both places. He rarely missed a day at work, putting effort and expertise into every day. He made some great friends and loved recounting the experiences they shared as they sometimes made the impossible possible.

Being sent to Marseilles to learn all about the radios and navigational equipment in the helicopters used by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, was a high point in his career. He loved it. During this month’s time, he would explore Paris, taking the train in and then walking around the city, stopping at cafes, trying out new French fare and enjoying the sites that only Paris has to offer. They say that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life, and that seems to describe Warren perfectly.

While moving on in his life of many interests, Warren met the love of his life right at Martin Music Center, when he met Debbie Garcia. They had so much in common, they loved music, concerts, watching movies and on the weekends, it was not unusual to see them at one of his niece’s softball games, cheering them on, with Warren capturing the game on film with his camera!

Debbie and Warren were married on October 26, 2002 in a beautiful Catholic Wedding Ceremony followed by a honeymoon cruise to Hawaii! Debbie and Warren created a fun and happy home, and they were devoted to one another.

On December 11, 2010, they welcomed Sophia Marie Martin, a six-pound bundle of joy that soon became the center of their lives. Warren doted on his little daughter, teaching her things and watching her grow, looking forward to reading together before she went to sleep at night. He sat through every piano lesson, attended every talent show, and supported her through countless softball games, capturing with his camera great pitches and plays – cheering when she won and consoling her when she didn’t. His goals for Sophia were endless and his love for her is forever.

Warren’s capacity for love allowed him to weave a connection with others through the hobbies and interest that he had in many things. He loved biking, and ham radios. He enjoyed hiking and music and movies, he loved family parties where he could share stories and catch up with his brothers, always stopping to thank the hostess as he left for a wonderful evening.

Warren loved being an uncle to his four nieces and never missed a chance to be a part of their lives. He was there every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, attending Mass and sharing holiday dinners. He became a second dad when Kristen and Sarah, then in first grade, each needed a chaperone for their field trip. He helped Emily learn how to drive, riding with her on her first trip down the drive-way! He taught them all piano, and had Monday night dinner with them for years as he met them all at Grandma Sparks’ house for a home cooked meal after work.

He was so happy when Sophia and Madeline attended St. Columban Catholic School together and was pleased to see them both at Mater Dei as well.

Warren was one of the good guys - fun, loyal, eager to join, happy to help. He appreciated his friends and absolutely loved his family. Being asked to serve as Godfather to Emily’s little girl made him very happy and gave him a chance to visit Virginia in October of 2022, as he proudly held a sleepy Julia Mae in his arms.

Warren passed away on September 9, 2026.

He is survived by his wife, his daughter, his mother, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, four nieces, two grand-nieces, and one grand-nephew.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Justin Martyr Catholic Church, 2050 W Ball Rd Anaheim, CA 92804, US, on September 21, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.

A Graveside Service will be held at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Cyn Rd, Orange, CA 92869, US, on September 21, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

A Reception will follow at El Cholo Restaurant at 8200 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92808 from 3:30-6pm.