Joseph A Martin,

MADISON-On May 3, 1975, Joseph A. “Joe” Martin, became a father for the first time when his daughter Beth was born. On May 3, 2013 (Beth’s 38th birthday), Joe went back to our Heavenly Father after a four-year journey with soft tissue sarcoma. Joe was born April 12, 1951 in Bay City, Mich. He married Pamela L. Brown on Sept. 30, 1972, in Saginaw, Mich. Their love and appreciation for one another never diminished over 40 years. Joe and Pam moved to Madison in 1973, when Joe accepted a position with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. After two years, he began a long and fulfilling career in information technology with the State of Wisconsin, retiring earlier this year due to his failing health. He had also worked as a consultant for the Amdahl Corporation from 1991 until 2005. Joe was well respected by his peers. He was kind, intelligent, analytical, patient, level-headed, and a wonderful teacher; characteristics manifest in every facet of his life. His love for computers extended beyond the office, and he loved “debugging” programs, reading computer manuals, and “unraveling” technological mysteries. He was a “techno-geek,” loved all kinds of electronic gadgets, and held Velcro and bungee cords in high esteem. He was an avid amateur photographer and sometime gardener. He loved playing guitar, and shared that gift in a variety of ways, serving on a worship team, in a choir, or as an accompanist in nearly every church he and Pam attended over the years. He enjoyed fine Scotch and craft beers, but especially when shared with good friends. His favorite dessert was toast, preferably with cold butter and honey. He loved simple pleasures. Joe’s greatest passion was for biking. When cancer robbed him of the use of his left arm, he continued riding on a recumbent. When he lost the arm entirely, still he rode on. He commuted to work with his daughter, Ruth as often as he could, and in his tenacity to ride you could see his true character, a man full of grace and strength, a man undiminished by illness. Joe touched the lives of many, those he knew closely and intimately as well as anyone who had a brief occasion to encounter him, even if it was just for a few minutes. His impact on ones he affected cannot be understated and will resonate for years to come. Joe is survived by his loving wife, Pam; three beautiful and talented daughters, Elizabeth (Martin) Palacios and Ruth (Jake) Germann, both of Sun Prairie, and Sarah Martin of Philadelphia, Pa.; five beautiful “grand-buddies,” Olivia, Alejandro, and Enrique Palacios, and Ayla and Zeke Germann; and a sister, Margaret (Dennis) Gavigan of Grand Rapids, Mich. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Olive Martin; his mother-in-law, Dolores Brown; and a brother-in-law, Danny Brown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2013, with Father Brian Wilk presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, with a prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials in Joe’s honor may be made to Agrace Hospice, American Players Theater, or Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Chicago. Pam, Beth, Sarah, and Ruth want to thank the excellent doctors and nurses at the Carbone Cancer Clinic for making it possible for us to have Joe for three more Christmases than we expected. We also want to thank Dr. Marty Mozena for his love, care and honesty. Heartfelt thanks and millions of hugs to our Hospice team for getting in the trenches with us. Joe/Dad, we will love you and miss you forever. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, with a prayer vigil at 6:30 p.m, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2013, with Father Brian Wilk presiding.