Martin George Blaskey Jr., 86, passed away on October 13, 2021 with his family by his side.
Martin was born December 16, 1934 and raised in South Philadelphia. He attended St. Aloysius grade school and graduated from Southeast Catholic High School in 1952.
Martin served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He completed his basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, N.Y., April 10, 1953, flight 2524, 3657 Training Squadron. He went to technical school at Chanute Air Force Base, Ill., September 1953 until February 1954. He was a mechanic on the C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed “Old Shaky.” He was stationed at Westover Air Force Base, Mass., from February 1954 to April of 1955. Martin was then stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Del., until his discharge December 12, 1956.
Martin met the love of his life, Joyce, when she was attending nursing school at Cooper Hospital in 1956. They were married October 4, 1958 at Saint Anthony’s Church in Waterford Works, N.J. Together they built their dream home and raised their children in Winslow Twp. Martin and Joyce were active members of Christ the Redeemer Parish.
Martin worked for Gulf Oil as a sales-rep with territories on the east coast.
Martin is a former member of the Waterford Volunteer Fire Company where he served as the secretary and president. He later became an exempt fireman. Martin chaired the bingo committee and brought bingo to the fire company. When Martin was employed at the Gulf Oil Company, Gulf Oil donated a tanker truck to the fire company. Martin and then Assistant Fire Chief Philip Iannaco Sr. went to Lakewood to retrieve the tanker. This truck was refurbished by Iannaco Garage and became known as Big Ben. The Truck was used for many years to supply additional water for the fire trucks.
Martin graduated from Pierce School of Business in 1962 with a degree in accounting. Martin was a licensed realtor and had an office in Sicklerville, N.J.
Martin was active in the Democratic Party. He was elected to the Winslow Twp. School Board in 1962 and served on the building committee. He was directly involved with the building of Winslow School Number 1 and Winslow School Number 2. His name still appears on the dedication plaques in both of these buildings. Martin was elected to the Winslow Twp. Committee and served from 1968 to 1981. He was on the committee responsible for changing the Winslow Twp. Police Department from a part-time district into the capable police force it is today. Martin also served on the building committee which built the Winslow Municipal Complex in Cedarbrook. His name appears on the dedication plaque. He was the first Deputy Mayor of Winslow Twp.
Martin was employed as the Camden County Tax Administrator from 1975 until his retirement in 2002. He supervised all 37 municipalities and was responsible for billions of dollars of property assessments.
Martin was a member of the Wagon Wheel Gun Club. He hunted in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Martin was an avid golfer who had a membership for decades at the Pineland Golf Course in Winslow Twp. He played in many tournaments and enjoyed playing with his friends.
One of Martin’s favorite places to visit, with his family, was Walt Disney World. He and his family visited the resort dozens of times. During one of the many visits to the “Hoop-Dee-Doo Review,” Martin had the honor of portraying Davey Crockett’s Angel. He received a certificate for his participation in the play which he proudly had framed. Martin and Joyce have been Disney Vacation Club members since 1996. They were selected to join the Disney advertising department where they were featured on the Disney television network promoting The Old Key West Resort. This commercial was broadcasted 24 hours a day for years. Martin and his wife were winter residents of Clear Water Florida allowing them not only easy access to Disney but also Philadelphia Phillies preseason games.
Martin is predeceased by his parents, Martin G. Blaskey Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Blaskey (née Versack); his father in-law and mother in-law, Phil Iannaco Sr. and Helen Iannaco (Chickachop); his brothers-in-law, Philip C. Iannaco Jr. and Robert Carbrey; and many other beloved family members.
Martin is the beloved husband of Joyce (née Iannaco) for 63 years; loving father of Susan (Paul) Sigloch and Martin (Marie-Louise) Blaskey III; grandfather of Paul Raymond Sigloch, Connor Martin Sigloch and Ryan Joseph Sigloch; brother to Marion Carbrey; brother in-law to Margie Iannaco, Kenneth (Marion) Iannaco and Glenn (Tuttie) Iannaco; and loving uncle to many nephews and nieces.
Martin will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his loving family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday morning October 20, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Costantino-Primo Funeral Home, 231 W. White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ 08009. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Parish Assumption Church, 318 Carl Hasselhan Dr., Atco NJ 08004. Interment with military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Cedar Brook N.J. Visit costantinoprimofh.com for lasting condolences.
Arrangements made by Costantino-Primo Funeral Home.