Obituary of J. Lynton Martin

J. Lynton Martin Passed away on February 23, 2015, in his 93rd year of life. He was the son of the late Zenas F. Martin and Grace (Patterson) Martin (Bridgewater). He was predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth; brothers, Laurin and Alan; sisters, Phyllis (Andrew Gow), Vivian (Elton Smith), Betty (Frank Calder), Louise Nicoll. Lynton was born in Bridgewater in 1922 and graduated from the Bridgewater High School and then went on to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College to study entomology. After graduation he worked in Cape Breton for several years as a supervisor of part time farming projects in the mining towns and fishing villages of Cape Breton County. He then went to MacDonald College of McGill University to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. After graduation he operated Woodlands Biological Laboratory in Voglers Cove until 1950. He then went to the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax in charge of the science collections. While there he completed a Master’s degree at Dalhousie University. In 1954, he began work in Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario, as a Research Officer at the Forest Insect Laboratory. He carried out ecological studies on forest insects until 1965 when he returned to Halifax as Director of the Nova Scotia Museum. Under his direction, the new museum on Summer Street in Halifax was opened in 1970, and well as many new branches of the Museum throughout the Province. In 1982 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Laws by Kings University in Halifax, and in 1984 he was made Honorary Associate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. He retired in 1983 and moved to Buckfield, Queens County, Nova Scotia. For a number of years, Lynton was active in community work related to heritage and culture in Queens and Lunenburg Counties. Surviving are his wife, the former Catherine Fulton of Chesterville Ontario, and his son, James (Jim) of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; grandchildren, Jennifer Morgan, Jackie Shimmin, Catherine Zoe-Martin, Robin Martin, Martina Chocolate, Timothy Zoe-Martin, Joseph Zoe-Martin, Jesse Martin, Tawnya Tourangeau; great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Morgan, Andrew Morgan, Mary Chocolate, Jayden Chocolate, James Chocolate, Jaime Lynn Zoe-Martin, Madison Tourangeau, Pipher Tourangeau, Jackson, Jenma, Chloe, Libby; sister in law, Elsie McCorry. A private memorial service will be held in July. No flowers please, donations may be made to the charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com or by messaging condolences@sweenysfuneralhome.com.