Martin was born in Montreal, moved around quite a bit; with stops in Illinois and Toronto, finally landing in Cambridge Ontario for his high school years.
Martin attended Mohawk Collage for Computer Systems Technology in Hamilton Ontario, which was a co-op program. He spent 3 work terms in Ottawa working for the Federal Government, which led to his settling in Ottawa permanently. Martin spent 30 years working for Export Development Canada, retiring in 2013. Martin and his wife Heather Ferguson have 4 children.
While in grade 10 of high school, Martin was invited by his friend Mark Sabine to assist in the opening of his family cabin on Lake Manitou. The cabin belonged to his grandmother, Irene Sabine. This became a yearly tradition that continues until this day. Every few years Martin and his wife were invited to spend a week in July as guests. In 2015, when the Baker cabin, 4 doors down from the Sabine’s, became available they jumped at it. Martin, Heather and family have been enjoying the cabin ever since. In their first summer on the island, Martin was volen-told (nominated) to the LMAA board by Marj Mihalyfi, who thought as a young retiree that he had too much time on his hands. He took over the treasurer responsibilities from Don Payne in 2019.
In the winter months Martin enjoys traveling, watching the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as playing hockey. In the summer, it's cottage time with the odd reluctant round of golf thrown in.