The Rev. Joseph C. Martin dies at 84; expert on alcoholism and drug addiction
Martin's lectures and films have been leading tools in recovery programs for more than 40 years. His book 'Chalk Talks on Alcohol' was published in 1982 and is still in print.
The Rev. Joseph C. Martin, an expert on alcoholism and drug addiction whose lectures and films have been leading tools in recovery programs for more than 40 years, has died. He was 84.
Martin, himself a recovering alcoholic, died Monday of heart failure at his home in Havre de Grace, Md., according to an announcement from Father Martin's Ashley, an addiction treatment center located in Havre de Grace that Martin co-founded 25 years ago. He had been in failing health with heart issues for a number of years.
Considered one of the country's foremost educators on alcoholism, Martin's role in that field started, he said, almost by accident.
"That was in February 1972," Martin told a Times reporter in 1998. "I was a seminary teacher. I had no plans to go into alcoholism treatment. I had some notes I'd taken because of my own recovery, and I used them for a talk. The Navy filmed it, and that was 'Chalk Talk.' "
The title of the film came from the blackboard Martin used to illustrate points during his lecture. It became a classic in treatment programs around the country. By the end of his life, Martin had more than 40 motivational films to his credit. His book "Chalk Talks on Alcohol" was published in 1982 and is still in print.
Those who heard Martin recalled him as a gifted speaker who was funny and sprinkled his talks with a sense of the absurd.
"He seemed to believe that the discussion of alcoholism was too important to be taken deathly seriously," recalled one member of Alcoholics Anonymous, who heard Martin on several occasions over the years. "He thought that laughter was the best approach to reach the sick."
A native of Baltimore, Martin was born Oct. 12, 1924, and graduated from Loyola High School, where he was valedictorian. He later attendedLoyola College before studying for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary and St. Mary's Roland Park in Baltimore. In 1948, he was ordained a priest of the Society of Saint Sulpice, whose mission is to train and educate seminarians.
Martin's first teaching job after his ordination was in California at St. Joseph's College in Mountain View. He was there from 1948 to 1956 before going on to St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md., from 1956 to 1959.
He began his recovery from alcoholism in 1958 and marked his 50th year in recovery last year as well as his 60th year as a priest.
In the early 1980s, Martin and his co-founder Mae Abraham, who began her recovery after hearing a lecture by Martin at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, began raising funds to buy and renovate an estate located on the Chesapeake Bay near Havre de Grace. Father Martin's Ashley opened in 1983 and has since provided treatment to more than 40,000 people dealing with alcoholism and addiction.
Martin was invited by Pope John Paul II in 1991 to participate in the Vatican's International Conference on Drugs and Alcohol. He traveled widely around the world, including visits to Russia to speak at Alcoholics Anonymous groups and to teach addiction counselors.
He is survived by a brother, Edward Martin of Liburn, Ga; two sisters, Frances Osborne and Dorothy Christopher, both of Baltimore; Mae and Tommy Abraham, with whom he lived for 30 years; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in Baltimore at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Interment will be private.
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." (william Shakespere)
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Mike C. sent along the following information on Father Joe Martin who passed yesterday morning (March 9) --- I had the pleasure of being Fr. Martin's "driver" early in my sobriety when he was passing through Honolulu (where I got sober) --- I spent a delightful three days taking him around the island, to appointments, etc . . . since I'd never been in treatment, I had no clue that so many people knew who he was . . . I just knew him as "Fr. Joe" another drunk!!! (I was told later about Chalk Talk
Father Joseph C. Martin, S.S. - October 12, 1924 - March 9, 2009.
My name is Joe Martin, and I'm an alcoholic. Father Martin first uttered this statement in 1958, when he was in treatment for alcoholism at the Guest House, what would prove to be a refuge for him from his drinking and a turning point in his life. His personal journey in recovery prompted a celebrated career in which his only aim was to ease the suffering of individuals and families, around the world, affected by addiction.
He was born on October 12, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland. He quickly developed a fondness for religion and faith. People fondly recall his special story-telling ability and wonderful sense of humor. In 1942, Father Martin graduated from Loyola College and entered St. Mary's seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1948 and underwent rigorous training to become a Sulpician, a highly regarded teaching society within the Catholic Church. After losing this coveted distinction as a result of his drinking, only in sobriety did he regain this title.
Father Martin taught minor seminarians and fulfilled several teaching roles within the church. It was very evident that he possessed a special ability to educate but his drinking became very troublesome and he was eventually directed to seek help at the Guest House. Father Martin frequently cited the tremendous impact his mentor Austin Ripley had on his journey in recovery. Many of Father Martin's teachings originated in concepts he learned while at the Guest House. His enthusiasm for sobriety coupled with his passion for teaching evolved into an unending quest to ease the suffering of individuals and families affected by addiction. In his career, spanning more than 35 years, Father Martin was catapulted into international acclaim as a prized speaker and educator on addiction and recovery thru the Twelve Steps. He founded Kelly Productions in 1972 and used it as a platform to capture the minds and hearts of millions of people.
Father Martin's message is no less relevant today than in 1972. He will continue to inspire love, service, helpfulness to others, and recovery through the use of his films, audio lectures, and books. In his last year, he shared his vision that he can be remembered so that the still suffering individual affected by addiction might benefit from his God-inspired message of hope.
Thank you, Scott & RIP Father Joe xx I've not come across his work just yet but I'm sure I will. Thank you for tributing him here & introducing me to his message & service. I'm glad you got to spend some precious time with him, Jane. I love how we all become a part of each other's story. God bless you all, Danielle x
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