I was born in 1950 to Jim and Margaret Martin who resided in Otterville at that time with my older brother Gary. We moved to Burgessville in 1959 from Burford Township. I still reside on the same farm that I grew up on, 2 miles north of Burgessville on Substation Rd. As a child I attended a small 1 room school house, Oriel School, on Gunns Hill Road. I then went on to graduate from Norwich District High School.
In 1973 I married my wife Sharon and we have two children together. Our son, Troy, is married to Melissa and they have two sons Tyler and Zachary. Our daughter, Michelle is married to Mike and they have three children Jeffrey, Michala and Brady.
After being a dairy farmer for 50 years, I am now a cash crop and beef cattle farmer. Some of my hobbies include playing baseball, spending time with our family and enjoying some rest and relaxation at our cottage on Lake Erie.
Over the years I have actively been involved in the community with a number of different organizations.
1985 – 87 President Norwich Minor Hockey
1987-90 Local League Co-Convenor for Norwich Minor Hockey
1988 received certificate of merit for community contributions
1991-2007 OMHA appointed Southern Counties convener
Coached and assisted at different levels of both minor hockey and minor ball
1997 charter member of Burgessville and District Optimist Club
1999-2001 President of the Burgessville and District Optimist Club