Mr. Ernest Alphonzo Martin Jr.

Ernest Alphonzo Martin was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 8, 1934 from the union of Ernest Martin and Doris Brown. He was the older of two sons and was given the nickname “Sonny.” Ernie was a real westsider having been raised on Tireman in the days when African Americans principally resided on American, Bryden, and Central. He attended Sherrill Elementary School, and went on to graduate from Chadsey High School in 1952. During these developmental years he worked at Martin Dry Cleaners, originally located on Bryden, and a second location on Oakland Avenue. He also developed a love for sports, particularly baseball, jazz, and became known as a good dancer. He loved to talk about growing up on Tireman, and would always tell stories mentioning Jim Darling, HB, and “The Red Shirt Kid.” After graduating from Chadsey Ernie went on to attend Highland Park Junior College as it was called then, where he met and later married Eleanor Wynn in July of 1954. To this union was born two sons; Phillip Alphonzo, and Reginald Adelbert Martin. Keeping with his westside roots, he remained in Highland Park and settled on Trumbull Avenue. During this time, he developed a love for bowling, chess, and betting on just about anything with a horse or a number in it. He became a self-professed “number junkie.” After the “67 Riots” corporate America became more open to hiring African Americans. Ernie who had initially started his career at Lincoln Mercury Assembly Plant, was now working for the state as an “Aggregate Inspector.” His good friend, neighbor, and fellow racetrack enthusiast Waymond was instrumental in introducing Ernie to Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company where he became a sales rep in 1967. Always the achiever, he used this experience to become one of the first African American Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives starting with J. B. Roerig, a division of Pfizer in 1968. His first products were Baker’s Milk, Atarax, Marax, and Coryband D. He joined Bayer Pharmaceuticals, formerly Miles, in 1984 and went on to become an award winning Hospital Representative before retiring in November of 1996. He got back into the industry in February of 2000 and briefly joined his son Phillip at GlaxoSmithKline where he again retired in March 2005. Always enjoying dancing, while hanging out at “The Jazz Workshop” he met and subsequently married Geraldine Armstrong in July 1990. Ernie quickly embraced Geraldine’s son Karmann from the tender age of seven. Karmann always looked at Ernie as his nurturing father from childhood through his passing. Ernie was an avid jazz lover and really liked Miles Davis. He attended Montreaux every summer with his longtime friend Jimmy. His discussions of sports history, current events, and of course the lottery would take place daily with his buddies at “The Hat Shop.” He also had a passion for bowling. He bowled in many leagues over the years at Glenn Eagles, Lucky Strike, The Argyle, Palm Beach, Bowlerama, and Old Redford. His last league was the Thursday Senior Doubles at Bronco where he was elected secretary. He was so touched because they would not let him resign when he could no longer fulfill his responsibilities due to his health. Ernie departed this life Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Mr. Ernest Alphonzo Martin Jr.

April 8, 1934 - April 20, 2013