DeLorne R. “Rick” Martin – 68 – of 321 Erie Ave., Almond, NY, died Saturday evening (September 5, 2015) at Ira Davenport Hospital following a brief illness.

Born in Hornell on March 4, 1947, he was the son of Ralph & Mary (Vosburg) Martin.

Rick, who was also affectionately known as “DR”, grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class if 1965).  While in high school, he was a member of the Red Raider Football Team and also the HHS Track Team.

Following his high school graduation, Rick enlisted in the US Navy.  While in the Navy, he served three tours of duty in Vietnam.  As a “Helicopter Door Gunner”, Rick’s job entailed retrieving wounded soldiers from the battle field via helicopter.  He received the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts after twice being wounded while performing his duties.  He was honorably discharged in 1977.

Throughout the years, Rick had been employed as an electrician for several railroad car refurbishing companies, including Morrison-Knudson (MK), Transportation & Transit Associates (TTA), Alstom Transportation and Siemens Transportation. He retired 6 years ago.

Rick had been a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.  He was a life member of the Hornell VFW and a former member of the Hornell American Legion.  Rick enjoyed collecting model trains; was a baseball card collector; enjoyed hunting and in his younger years enjoyed fishing.

He was married on December 3, 1976 to the former Gail Lena Bowles who survives.  Also surviving are 3 sons, DeLorne “Ricky” (Wendy) Martin of Fremont, Richard Noyes of Hornell and Christopher Martin of Hornell; 1 sister, Lorna (Sam) Palmiter of Chester VA; 1 brother, Bill (Beverly) Raub of Friendship, NY; his brother-in-law, Larry (Suzanne) Bowles of Westminster, MD; 10 grandchildren, Cheyenne McCormck, Matthew Martin, Tiffany Martin, Ashley Baltimore, Richard Noyes JR, Brandon Noyes, Brittany Noyes, Chris Martin, Benjamin Brown and Brenden Martin; several great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephew. 

The family of DeLorne R. “Rick” Martin will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 PM  –   2:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where a Memorial Service with full Military Honors will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 2:00 PM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating.  Final interment will be in the Bath National Cemetery.

In Recognition of Rick’s military service, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.