Obituary of Edward LeDrew Martin

MARTIN, EDWARD LE DREW-Born August 23, 1910 died Thursday, June 15th at the Pasqua Hospital, after suffering a heart attack, at 95 years of age. Left to cherish his memory and celebrate his remarkable life are his beloved wife of 62 years, Emilie (nee Weir), his son David Martin (Linda), his daughter Winna Martin, his granddaughter Emilie Jewett-Curley (Michael), his grandson Jack Jewett and his great grandson Andrew Curley. He would have also rejoiced in the birth of a second great grandson who will be born in July. Edward was born and grew up in St. John's, Newfoundland. As a young man he worked for an American diamond drilling firm, but when Depression-era immigration rules kept him out of the U.S. he joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 1934. A year later he transferred to the brand new Newfoundland Rangers, which were being set up to patrol Labrador and the outports of rural Newfoundland. In 1948 Newfoundland voted to join Canada which posed a problem for the Rangers as they would be in conflict with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Edward, by then holding the rank of Major and commanding the Rangers, made arrangements for his personnel to be absorbed by the RCMP, just as the force had earlier absorbed the Dominion Police and provincial forces in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, BC and the Atlantic provinces. Edward was offered a position in the RCMP which he accepted. He served in Halifax, Charlottetown, Ottawa, Regina then Ottawa and Regina again, serving as the commanding officer of F Division here and holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner. He retired in 1969, having completed 35 years in law enforcement with three police services, then began a new career as a Provincial Court Magistrate a position he held for approximately 10 years. He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge, the oldest serving member in Canada of the Corps of Commissionaires and a member of the Royal United Services Institute. Edward was an avid outdoors man and particularly enjoyed hunting and fishing. During the winter months he actively participated in the sport of Curling until his health no longer permitted any of those activities. Edward will be remembered by all who knew and loved him for his kind and gentle nature and his warm and witty sense of humour, a tribute to his Irish Newfoundland heritage. A service of thanksgiving will be held on Monday, June 19th in St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral (1861 McIntyre Street) at 2 p.m. with The Right Reverend Duncan Wallace officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service at the Royal United Services Institute (1660 Elphinstone Street). Donations in Edwards memory can be made to The Building and Restoration Fund of St. Paul's Cathedral c/o St. Paul's Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, S4P 2R2 (or to the charity of your choice). Arrangements are by Speers Funeral Home, Regina, 522-3232