Obituary of Fred T Martin

Fred T. Martin

1954 - 2026

Fred Tracy Martin, 71, of Rome, passed away on Tuesday July 21, 2026 while waterskiing on Lake Delta, Rome NY. He was born in Rome, NY on September 13, 1954, son of the late John H. Martin, Jr, and Suzanne McHenry Martin, and he graduated from Rome Free Academy. He went on to also graduate from SUNY Morrisville and later attended Syracuse University. Fred then moved to Florida where he opened and owned a business installing pools and patios, and spent his free time scuba diving, spearfishing and deep-sea fishing. He returned to New York and started Martin Brothers Concrete with his brother Rusty, then worked as an employee for Kenneth Miller, Mason Contractor, and then Clemente Fane.  Fred and Betsy McMahon Franz became reacquainted in 2011 and went on to share their lives together, getting married on July 13, 2024, at Sylvan Beach.

Fred enjoyed snow skiing, snowmobiling and golfing with his best friend Eric Avery. He also enjoyed waterskiing, politics, remodeling projects, and boating at Delta Lake. Fred was an active member of Lake Delta Yacht Club, participating in Monday night Sailboat Races and he received an award for his service as Commodore in 2008. He enjoyed playing golf with his Thursday Afternoon Golf League, attended Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, and always had Rocky the Pomeranian by his side.

Fred is survived by his wife Betsy M. Franz, sister Patricia M. Dunham, brother J. Russell (Rusty) Martin and Sandra Sanzone (all of Rome), brother Thomas P. Martin (Syracuse), niece Michelle Dunham and Joel Dodge (Frankfort), nephews Noah Martin and Trevor Martin (both of Liverpool), step children Megan Franz and Bradley Gannon (Park City, UT), Peter Franz Jr. and Melissa Franz (Rochester, NY), Daniel and Katherine Franz (Carmel, NY), and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Martin Jr and Suzanne M. Martin.

Memorial donations may be made in Fred’s name to Humane Society of Rome, Inc., PO Box 4572, Rome, NY  13442-4572, or to those who responded to assist in the emergency; members of the NYS Police and local EMTs/First Responders, or to a charity of your choice.

Fred lived life to the absolute fullest, and we are all so blessed for knowing him.

Private funeral services for family and close friends will be held on Monday July 27, 2026. There are no calling hours. Burial will be in Lee Valley Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, N.Y. 13440.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.