[ back ]
Martin H. 'Marty' Thurst
devoted father and volunteer
WEST CLARKSVILLE, NY - Martin H. Thurst of 8801 Jordan Hill Road, passed away Wednesday (Feb. 9, 2011) shortly after arriving at Olean General Hospital.
Born Oct. 16, 1941, in Pines Planes, he was a son of Webster and Delia Hendricks Thurst. On Aug. 6, 1967, in Pine Planes, he married Onalee R. Crum.
Marty was a 1961 graduate of Pine Planes Central School. He served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 13, 1964 to Jan. 12, 1966, and then in the Army Reserves until Dec. 3, 1969. Following his service he returned to Pine Planes, where he worked in the school system and was a volunteer at the fire departments and ambulance service. Marty also was a member of the Pine Planes Police Department and American Legion. He moved to Clarksville in 1978 to begin a farm. He also began working at Olean Tile (Dal-Tile) as an electrician in 1979. Marty retired from Dal-Tile in 2003 after 27 years.
Marty was a dedicated active life member of the Clarksville Fire Company and was one of the charter members on their ambulance service. He also held many positions, including fire police lieutenant and fire district commissioner. He was a chairman for many fundraisers for both the fire company and ambulance service, received many hours of training for fire and ambulance calls and he was a certified forest fighter and he dedicated many hours of maintenance and upkeep of the fire hall and all the equipment throughout the years.
Marty enjoyed walking his gun "Hunting." He loved all his pets and farm animals and doing the "Twist." But most of all, he loved his children and especially his grandchildren. He was fondly known as "Papa," "Marvelous Marty," "Frack" of "Frick and Frack," and "Smarty Marty."
Surviving are a son, Shane M. (Stefanie) Thurst of Olean; two daughters, Christina L. Foster of Clarksville and Marcina F. Thurst of Clarksville; three grandchildren, Marrissa M. Thurst, Jilliann J. Foster, and Cameron H. Thurst; two sisters, Doris (Charles) Berry of Florida, and Carol (Bruce) Doscher of TX; and many nieces and nephews.
Marty was predeceased by a sister, Elva Stephen.
Friends will be received in the West Clarksville Baptist Church on Daggett Hollow Road from 1:30 to 4 p.m. today (Feb. 13, 2011) at which time a memorial service will be held. The Rev. Les E. Chambers, pastor, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the West Clarksville Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 64, West Clarksville, NY 14786.
Arrangements are under direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com of Cuba and Olean.
[ back ]
