Obituary of Martin H. Toly, Sr.

Martin H Toly, Sr. ended his short, valiant battle with cancer at home in his 97th year on April 1, 2020. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, the former Mary Kathryn Scott (1974). He is survived by a son Martin H Toly, Jr. (Candace Noonan) of Schenectady, NY; a daughter Barbara Ann Toly of Syracuse; a grandson Scott M Toly of Rochester; granddaughter Beth Toly Hughes (Roald) of Rochester; four great-grandchildren: Aidan, Jack, Dylan, and Bella Hughes of Rochester; former daughter-in-law Linda Gardner Toly of Rochester; his nephews Jon (MaryAnn) Lyons and Patrick Lyons of Milpitas, CA. He was pre-deceased by his brother Norman F Toly and sister Helen Toly Lyons of Livermore, CA. Martin was born in Oakland, CA to John and Marie Hlawitchka Toly in 1922. He graduated from Saint Elizabeth’s High School and attended San Francisco Junior College. He was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Locomotive Power Division prior to entering the Navy during World War II in 1943. After basic naval training and machinist school in North Dakota he received additional training at Carrier Corporation in Syracuse where he met his future wife. He was a Navy combat veteran of WWII Pacific area seeing action in the Marshall and Mariana Islands. He retired from Bristol Myers Squibb corporation in 1980 after 32 years of service in the mechanical maintenance division. He was a current active member of the Syracuse Pistol Club participating as a charter member, board director and various club leagues and activities over 3 decades. He was an avid gardener and wood worker, sharing his knowledge and talent with anyone he knew or could help. He was an avid trout fisherman and fly tyer making yearly trips to West Yellowstone, Montana where he introduced many people to fly fishing and fly tying. He became the elder statesman of a special group of fishermen and women who meet annually in West Yellowstone to fish and celebrate friendships. During this time a private funeral will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church with burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date when we can all join to remember this special father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. To share an online condolence or view his funeral services, visit www.shepardsonfh.com.