"So sorry Delores your dad and mom were great people, i enjoyed them as customers at a Balattis and Las Margaritas when I worked there and of course, your dad at the pharmacy. "
In loving memory of
Charles Martin
April 10, 1933 - September 2, 2022
Charles Daniel Martin Riendeau, better known as Chuck Martin, age 89, died peacefully on September 2, 2022 at his daughter's home in Hollister CA after a lengthy struggle with Multiple Myeloma.
Charles was born April 10, 1933 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Mary Cruz and was adopted by his father Delor Martin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Franklin Delor Martin. As an adult, Charles recovered his original birth certificate and learned of his middle name, Daniel, and birth sur name, Riendeau. At age 50, he met his biological father and learned of his French and Iroquois lineage.
Charles spent his youth growing up in New Bedford, Massachusetts and still maintains friendships with many childhood acquaintances. He always held very fond memories of Boy Scouts in summer and sledding down the family hill in winters. Upon graduation from New Bedford High School, Charles moved to Boston and attended Northeastern University and the New England College of Pharmacy. Shortly after graduating from Pharmacy School, Charles was drafted into the United States Army. Reluctant, yet willing, he moved to Presidio, San Francisco and served as a pharmacist at Fort Baker. It was there he met a feisty Army nurse and the love of his life.
Charles and Lois Raybourn were wedded during their army enlistments and married for 47 years until he was preceded by her death. Their only child, Delores Martin was born at Presidio prior to their discharge. After the Army, Charles began his professional career as a pharmacist with Walgreens in San Francisco and Hayward. In 1965, he moved his family to Fresno where he partnered in a small pharmacy and went on to work in several Rexall retail stores. In the early 70s, Charles assumed a position with Thrifty Drugs, however they didn't have a store available. For approximately 18 months, Charles and his family traveled California working relief until his full time store was built in Los Banos California.
Life in Los Banos thrived for Charles. He became involved with the Hospital Board, Kiwanis, and became a founding member of the Elks Lodge. Born Catholic, he spent much time with the church, where he and Lois would renew their 25th wedding vows. Later, Charles became devoted to Bethel Church where he spent his remaining years with close friends and worship. He very much enjoyed bell ringing for the Salvation Army Christmas drive. But the joy of his time was the 28 years he spent as the pharmacist for Thrifty Drugs where he would get to know most of the town and develop many lifetime friends. He retired from Thrifty but returned to work when Walgreens opened. He was grateful to end his career with the same company he started with. He touched many lives with his generosity of time and joy for life.
Charles had a passion for family and friends. Wanting a big family, he spent much of his time spoiling his only daughter and two granddaughters. His love of pets was such that you would think he was born with a cat in his arms. But his greatest times and memories were spent traveling with Lois and visiting friends back east.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Delores Martin Edwards, his daughter in law, Crystal Griffith Martin, his granddaughters; Danielle Edwards Valencia, and Jessica Edwards Marietti, sister in law, Julie Raybourn, nieces; Sherry Robinson and Janet Huey, and nephew Steven Parisi.
Funeral services will be held at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel, Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00am; burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at San Joaquin Veterans' Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to their local SPCA. Services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapels~Los Banos