Marvin B. Martin

Marvin B. Martin passed away at the age of 78 on October 3, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta. Marvin was born on November 18, 1946, to Annie (Brubacher) and Christian F. Martin in Waterloo, Ontario where he grew up on the family farm near Conn, Ontario. Annie passed away when Marvin was young and he was raised by his loving stepmom, Lucinda.

Marvin moved west with his brothers while still in his teens. Always a go-getter he graduated from James Fowler High School while working full-time to support himself.

In the summer of 1966 at his friend Howard Barber’s wedding Marvin met Howard’s sister Viola May Barber. The wedding sparked a romance in the summer of 1967. Marvin and May were apart while Marvin went to Emmaus Bible College in Chicago where he only got shot once! God saw fit to bring them together again and in July of 1970 Marvin Martin and Viola May Barber were married.

An entrepreneur at heart, Marvin started his own business in 1970. Together with May he endured the ups and downs of business ownership while growing his family by three members, Greg, Heather and Colin. In the early 1980s with the economy in Alberta crashing Marvin moved his family out to Sundre, Alberta where they lived on a shared farm with his younger brother Arnie and his family.

During this time Marv commuted to Calgary for business but also to coach his sons and daughter in their sports of Baseball and Hockey.

In the mid 90’s they made the decision to move back to Calgary so they could focus on their businesses. The window covering business was a mainstay, but Marvin and May really loved working in their Amway business. Through Amway and WWDB they became leaders and mentors to hundreds of business owners. Marvin and May spent twenty-five years speaking and coaching on the art of business, marriage and communication.

When not working Marvin could frequently be found watching sports, especially the Blue Jays with his sons, Greg and Colin. Marvin’s son-in-law Scott was his partner in the window covering business and they worked hand-in-hand for decades. Heather and Scott’s children, June, Martin and Linnea were frequent visitors at Grandpa and Grandma’s house after school, often bringing friends along to help raid the snack fridge that was always full.

In spite of the health challenges Marvin faced these last few years and the loss of his beautiful wife May in December of last year, Marvin could always be depended on to make a visitor laugh and offer to pray with them. His faith and his joy will be missed by all who encountered him.

Marvin was predeceased by his loving wife, May on December 10th, 2024.

He was also predeceased by his parents, Annie, Lucinda and Christian, his brother Gerald and his brother-in-law Aaron.

Left to honour his legacy of Faith and Family are his children; Greg Martin, Heather Laubenstein (Scott), Colin Martin (Tawnya). His grandchildren; June, Martin and Linnea. His siblings; Henry Martin, Adam Martin (Maxine), Florence Martin, Dorothy Reed (Norm), Kathy Bauman (Nile), Arnold Martin (Cheryl) and too many dear friends to list.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the following:

FAC Care fund - https://www.faccalgary.com/giving

Strasbourg Bible Camp - https://www.strasbourgbiblecamp.ca/donate/