Franklin John Charles Martin died peacefully at his Ajijic home on October 5 at the age of 72.
Born July 17, 1941 in Toronto, Ontario, Martin attended the Ridley College, McGill University and Ryerson Polytechnic. He often commented that he had graduated from the “University of Life.”
Martin married Leslie Hanifen of New York City in 1966 and moved to London, England the same year with the Proctor Silex Company of Canada. The couple lived in London for 12 years. Martin founded the Babytec Company, specializing in baby-oriented technical equipment, and moved his family to Dorset, England in 1978.
Martin owned a vacation home in Majorca, Spain that he and his family enjoyed for many years. He sold that property, and always on a quest for a new adventure, discovered Ajijic in 1996. He immediately purchased a large home overlooking Lake Chapala. Martin never retired from his business life, commuting often between England and Mexico.
He is survived by his wife Leslie Martin of Ajijic and his children: Alicia Merrell of Livermore, California, James Noel Martin of Banff, Canada, and Melanie Pryor of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. His sisters, Shirley West of Ajijic and Beverly Hughes of Toronto, also survive him. He had six grandchildren: Oliver, Madison, Alexandra, Lucas, Georgina and Thomas.
Martin will be remembered by all who knew him as lovable, fun, generous, engaging, charming and intelligent.
Plans for a memorial observance will be announced at a later date.