Priest was dedicated to church and education

March 6, 2009

MIRAMICHI - When Rev. Leon Creamer would go to Rev. Msgr. George Martin for advice on his writing, Martin would compliment him if he thought it was worthwhile.

If he didn't he wouldn't say anything at all.

It was one of the many ways Martin mentored Creamer as he went about his priestly duties.

"He certainly inspired me that if I was going to do it I should do it well."

Martin died in Saint John Monday after a period of failing health.

Originally from the Miramichi, Martin was ordained as a priest in St. Michael's Basilica in 1949 for the Diocese of Bathurst.

From there he went on to a long career as a professor, registrar, vice- president and eventually president at St. Thomas University where he served in the latter role for 15 years.

The university's dean of students Larry Batt was a student when he met Martin. He served as an altar boy for Martin and as a former Miramichier himself, he used to catch a ride home with him from Fredericton on weekends.

"I was one of the ones that benefitted from him travelling back and forth." Martin eventually hired Batt as assistant registrar at the university and he continued to keep in touch with the priest long after he left the university.

One time he saw one of Martin's homilies written out on paper before the mass. There were only three words, but Batt said the priest's mind was so strong they were all he needed.

"Three words and away he went."

Speaker of the Senate Noel Kinsella first met Martin about 50 years ago when St. Thomas was located in Chatham and said the priest loved the Miramichi.

"He was a fiercely proud son of the Miramichi."

Kinsella said Martin embraced his priestly vocation, but still saw himself as a teacher.

"It was like a hand fitting a glove."

Miramichi lawyer George Martin bears his uncle's name and said he was always very close to his family in the Miramichi.

"He was gone for 44 years, but he was still a Chatham boy."

One of the things his uncle appreciated was the way people of the Miramichi were good to the university when it was in the city, he said.

"He never forgot that."

Creamer said his former colleague was a big supporter of the reforms brought about by Vatican II, which saw more involvement of laypeople in the church.

"I think he saw the advantage of the church being closer to people."

Martin continued to work, even as his health was failing and Creamer said he couldn't keep up with his former colleague.

"He was certainly an example to us that way, to those of us that were younger. I doubt ... if I'll ever meet anyone like him again."

St. Thomas University recognized Martin's dedication to the school with a building named in his honour. Artists creating a stained glass window even used his likeness in a pane depicting St. Thomas Aquinas.

Batt said Martin volunteered to take mass on weekends while he worked at the university.

"That was his way of continuing his priestly duties."

Even during his time at the school, he was always clear he was a priest first, Batt said.

"That was part of his life. That was what he did."