Martin Joseph Spillman

Martin Joseph Spillman, 72, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Wildomar, California. Known to his loved ones as Marty, he will be remembered for being a passionate husband, father, papa, brother and friend; a trailblazing leader and executive in his field; a musician with a penchant for the drums; and a world traveler with a zeal and childlike curiosity for life at large.

He was born on July 18, 1950, in Rochester, New York, to his parents Joseph L. Spillman and Geraldine I. (Brule) Spillman. There he was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy to his local church, performing mass for historical events such as the local memorial of President John F. Kennedy. He had three siblings, an older sister and a younger sister and brother.

Growing up, Marty was an avid bowler and baseball player, the latter a love that he held with him throughout his entire life. He also enjoyed watching football on television. The Cleveland Browns dominated the Rochester markets at the time, so he naturally developed a life-long bias towards them.

He loved music and would play on his father’s drum set until his mother, a pianist, insisted that he first learn to play the piano. Through this musical exposure, he developed a love for baroque pop music such as the Beach Boys. This love later progressed into the British invasion music of the 60’s and subsequent psychedelic rock movement.

Marty graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Rochester in 1968. Following graduation, he attended Jones College in Jacksonville, FL, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He then spent time working at a shipyard along the Florida coast before landing himself in the flooring industry where he spent his 50-year career.

He got his start with Lees Carpets and ended with Mohawk Industries. Marty held many high-management positions in his field, becoming Vice President of the sales division at several multi-billion dollar companies.Through work, he was able to travel the country and meet many incredible colleagues, customers and later, friends. It is during his time at Lees Carpets that he had his first child.

After moving to Mohawk, he moved across the country to Commerce, California. Here, he met his wife, Veronica Lute. It took multiple attempts to convince her to go on a date, and alas he succeeded. Marty and Veronica were married on the 21st day of March, 1987 and have celebrated 36 years of marriage.

Their first home together was in Diamond Bar, California. He recalled this house as the one that got away. They then moved to Chino Hills, where the couple introduced their first two children together. Georgia followed, and then Sacramento, and then they settled back into the budding Southern California suburb of Corona. It is here they had their final child.

Despite consistently traveling for work, Marty was involved in the lives of all his children, and later grandchildren. He coached baseball teams, attended recitals, and made every birthday and holiday not only special, but full of surprise and wonder. He had a way of infecting those around him with his excitement, something that never wavered even in his final days.

He loved to travel, and was able to see everywhere from Hong Kong and Beijing to the tropical beaches of Bermuda. Domestically, he loved the Hawaiian Islands, Lake Tahoe, and Alaska. He was a scholar of geography, and by proxy, treasured the view from his backyard with panoramic views of Wrightwood, Big Bear, and Idlewyld.

In his free time, he was an expert golfer, an avid finger drummer, and a box-office comedian. He loved every holiday but mainly St. Patrick's Day and Christmas. He enjoyed Corona Light, Coors Light, most light lagers, though he could drink a Guinness if needed. He loved C1 Corvettes, crime dramas, Jewish delicatessens, the Los Angeles Angels, and fine wine. Above all, he loved his family and the life they built together.

In March of 2021, Marty was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension, a rare disease that affects both the lungs and the heart. He was put on supplemental oxygen and had to step down from his work. Despite the ferocity of the disease, he maintained a stark optimism and humanism that adorned every interaction he had. He was impossible to disenfranchise and never faltered in his faith in this world.

Marty is survived by his wife, Veronica Spillman, his children Noelle Spillman Lees (Matt), Brennan Spillman, Brianna Spillman Adamson (Charlie), and Christian Spillman, his grandchildren Anna Lees, Carson Monington, Colton Adamson, and Cayson Adamson, his sister Jean Anne Llewellyn, his brother John Spillman (Barbara) and many other family members and friends. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister, Eileen Spillman O’Neill and brother-in-law, James O’Neill.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church in Placentia, California on Tuesday, June 27 at 10:30 am. The service will be open to family and friends, and a reception will be held in the hall immediately after. In lieu of flowers, a Gofundme has been created to help with funeral costs.

To do so Click here: https://gofund.me/6224b43e

Rest in peace, Marty. You will be deeply missed by all who knew you.