Horace Martin Tonkin

Born on June 18, 1920 in Plover, Wisconsin. He passed away at home in Lake Forest Park, Washington on December 25, 2004. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joanne; brothers Bill Tonkin of Shoreline and Don Tonkin of Vashon Island; four daughters, Nora Dave Brown, Maggie Bill Henley, Laureen Hart and Sandra Tonkin; grandchildren, Michell and Andrew Brown, William and Zak Henley, Stephanie Josh Day and great grandson Jacob Day.

Martin's parents, Ray and Edna May Hart moved the family to Washington from Duluth, Minnesota in 1932. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939, already a member of the Naval Reserve at Sand Point, Washington. From Sand Point he was transferred to Naval Air Stations in Pasco and Arlington, Washington. Later he was sent to Alameda, California where he was assigned to the USS Mizar then transferred to a seaplane tender the USS Tangiers A V-8 and spent the balance fo the war in the South Pacific attaining the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class USNR. After his discharge, he became a commerical sewing machine mechanic and worked at the trade most of his life.

In 1951 he married Joanne Woodruff from Auburn, Washington. They lived on a houseboat on Lake Union. They started building a home with Martin doing much of the work himself. They moved to their home in Lake Forest Park in 1958, where the first of their four daughters started kindergarten.

From an early age Martin loved photography and preferred being behind the camera. He was an informal bird watcher who kept the bird feeders on his deck filled. At various times he raise tropical fish, made wine and started learning how to repair clocks. Most of all he loved his family.

HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW AND LOVED HIM.