Local Business Owner, Veteran, Author, Civic Leader, Mustard Seed Founder, Thomas "Tom" Martin, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 04, 2025
Thomas C. “Tom” Martin, 97 of Jimrose Lane, Anmoore went to be with the Lord on August 31st, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 24, 1928, the son of Thomas Caldwell Martin and Alice Faye Davis Martin. Tom was the first-born of five children and was the last surviving member of his family, being preceded in death in addition to his parents by brothers Robert and James “Jack” and sisters Margaret Ruth Dreyer and Janet Patricia Williams.
Tom attended St. Mary’s Grade School in his early years, and in 1937 his family relocated to Uniontown, Pa where he attended St. John’s Grade School. Returning to Clarksburg in 1943 he again enrolled at St. Mary’s. Upon entering high school Tom participated in football, basketball and baseball. He was a member of the basketball team that won 39 consecutive games in 1945-46-47. This team was invited to a National Tournament in Newport, Rhode Island where it competed against some of the top teams in the country. Tom was also the
catcher on the St. Mary’s baseball team that won the Little Ten Conference Championship in 1947. Some of the coaches of these various teams were Mitch Poniewasz Frank “Yak” Mazza, JT Flaherty, John Scott and Tony Folio.
catcher on the St. Mary’s baseball team that won the Little Ten Conference Championship in 1947. Some of the coaches of these various teams were Mitch Poniewasz Frank “Yak” Mazza, JT Flaherty, John Scott and Tony Folio.
After graduation Tom enlisted in the United States Navy and is a veteran of the Korean War, serving four years as a petty officer aboard the battle cruiser USS Des Moines. After his discharge in 1952 he returned to Clarksburg and was employed at Eagle Convex Glass Company. Not long after that he met his “love at first sight” future wife Louise Jane Cavallaro, a C&P Telephone employee. They were married on September 20, 1953 at St. Francis Borgia Church in Anmoore by the late beloved Father Charles Carroll.
This marriage would produce seven wonderful children who survive: Deborah Ann Humphrey of Reno, Nevada; Catherine Marie Price of Elkins, WV; Thomas Michael (Mike) Martin and wife Kim of Bridgeport, WV; Marianne Martin of Anmoore, WV; Nicholas John Martin and wife Julie of McMurray Pa; Michele Louise and husband Eli Goldsmith of Anmoore, WV; and James Matthew Martin of Morgantown, WV.
Tom is also survived by seventeen beloved grandchildren: James (Kristan) Humphrey, Rebecca Southen, Lisa Lopez, Thomas (Sherri) Lopez, Ashley Urso, Cyril “C.J.” Price, Thomas Michael (Sharon) Martin Jr., Matthew (Adriane) Martin, Molly Rose (David) Butler, Patrick (Taylor) Martin, Leah Martin, Scott Kroll, Rachel (Donnie) Plaugic, Rebecca (Hunter) Renquest, Nicholas Alex (Sarah) Martin, Alexander “Tre” (Shelby) Bell and Jonah Matthew Martin. Twenty three beloved great grandchildren: Ava, Bryce, Ernie, Katelyn, Kristin, Christian, Holland, Charlie, Aryanna, Maddox, Jack, Ben, Elijah, Charlotte (Charlie) Grace, Dominic, Madellyn, Oliver, Mia, Ava, Christian, Joseph, Teddy and Killian. As well as five beautiful great-great grandchildren: Matthew, Adrian, Laila, Harlen and Noah.
While employed at Eagle Convex Glass Company he was offered a job at Beverage Printing Company to operate printing presses during evening hours. Having previous printing press experience he accepted this job, resulting in working two jobs. After two years on this schedule and the continued growth of Beverage Printing. Tom resigned at Eagle Convex and became a full-time press operator until 1969 when he bought the company and it became Martin Printing Company. Located in the Bus Terminal Building on Fourth street in Clarksburg the company continued in operation until Tom retired in 1995. After a year in retirement and with printing ink still running through his veins he accepted a position with the Harrison County Board of Education to operate their printing department. Intending to remain on this job for only a few years it was not until 2002 that he finally retired.
While operating Martin Printing Company and having a deep interest in the history of Harrison County Tom published two books. “Clarksburg Long Ago”, which featured many old-time pictures along with the complete story of killer Harry Powers, a Broad Oaks resident who murdered two women and three children at his “murder farm” at Quiet Dell. In 1931 Powers was found guilty and died on the gallows in Moundsville. Tom’s second publication was the highly popular “Clarksburg—Jewel of the Hills”. This publication also featured numerous old-time pictures of the area plus many interesting stories of local residents.
After retirement, Tom’s son Jim built him a computer. This, along with some family ancestor information from his son Mike lit a fuse which resulted in extensive Martin family genealogy research. The following years resulted in the discovery and filing of 9,175 ancestors and relatives. This experience included visiting numerous cemeteries and courthouses throughout West Virginia. Tom’s lineage in America started when George Martin, born in Ireland in 1737, came to America in the early 1750’s as either a prisoner or indentured servant of the British government. On October 9, 1761 George married Ann Cloud and they relocated to present-day Hampshire County, WV where they raised a family of nine sons and one daughter. Seven of these sons and the one daughter came to Harrison and Marion counties in the early 1790’s, including 3rd great-grandfather Joshua Martin, who married Catherine Tetrick and built their home on Horner’s Run, just outside of Boothsville, WV. This house is still standing today.
When George Martin died in 1807 he owned 525 acres of beautiful farmland in Hampshire County with the Allegheny Mountains bordering one side and the North River on the other. Tom visited this site on many occasions, and his research into family genealogy plus knowledge of printing enabled him to publish two family-related books on the subject: the first book, titled “Martin-Cavallaro Family Genealogy” was completed in 2008 and was comprised of 208 pages. It covered extensive periods of the Martin ancestry which included many relatives from many countries. It also included genealogy of his wife Louise Cavallaro’s family, her parents being Italian immigrants Vincenzo (James) Cavallaro and Maria Rosa Strangio who came to America in the early 1900’s. There were from San Nicola and Pezzolo, suburbs of Caulonia, Reggio Calabria, Italy. Tom’s second book was titled “Ancestor’s Tales” and told of the many hardships and struggles suffered by his ancestors. Many famous individuals were included in these tales with some ancestors being traced to the 12th and 13th centuries. These books were assembled in three-ringed binders and given to family members.
Tom gave credit for the blessings in his life to God, which included his wife Louise, the love of his life and their seven children, who are dedicated to clean-living, hard-working lives and of whom Tom was extremely proud. In addition to his family research, Tom also enjoyed golfing, gardening, attending athletic events, was an avid WVU Mountaineer fan, and most of all enjoying the family Sunday dinners, which originated with his wife Louise and was an Italian tradition. His biggest smiles were for his grandchildren when they would visit.
Tom was a 3rd degree member of the Clarksburg Knights of Columbus Council 872, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 573, American Legion Post 13 and is a member of All Saints Catholic Church. Tom and his wife Louise were the original founders of the Mustard Seed in 1973 while they were members of Immaculate Conception Church. Now an ecumenical organization The Mustard Seed is operating in it’s 52nd year. Louise served as chairman for most of those years and The Mustard Seed has served tens of thousands of people who are in need of food and clothing.
Tom was extremely grateful for the excellent health care he received at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center as well as Amedisys Hospice Home Health Care, Village Caregiving and special nurse Misty Via.
Family and friends may call at the All Saints Catholic Church, 317 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV on Friday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm to conclude the visitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00 am with Father Walt Jagela and Father Patsy Iaquinta as con-celebrants.
Interment will follow in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.
