Martin Reddington, 76, a realtor

Martin J. Reddington, 76, of Ambler, a Realtor who owned and ran several businesses, and a force in Democratic politics in Abington Township, died at home Sunday, May 24, from skin cancer.

Born in Philadelphia to John and Mary McCafferty Reddington, he grew up in Ambler, Chestnut Hill and East Germantown, and graduated from St. John's High School and La Salle University.

In 1957, he met Eileen Brennan at a church dance. The two were married in 1961. Mr. Reddington served in the Air Force, and was honorably discharged.

In 1963, the Reddingtons bought a home in the Ardsley section of Abington Township, where they lived for 25 years.

In 1972, Mr. Reddington began a career in real estate, his passion. He opened Reddington Real Estate, later Prudential Reddington Realtors, and expanded to two locations, plus a mortgage and title company, all of which he ran until retiring in 2014. He was a leader of the Montgomery County Board of Realtors.

In addition to his business, Mr. Reddington devoted much of his time to local politics. He served as Abington Township Ward Nine commissioner for three terms and twice was elected president of the Board of Commissioners.

His first term as board president marked the first time in many years that a Democrat had held that position in Abington Township. While in office, he involved citizens in volunteer committees, and pushed for open discussions of issues and the abolition of closed meetings. In 1982, he was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Abington-Rockledge Democratic Committee.

He was such an avid runner that even a leukemia diagnosis at age 59 did little to slow him down. More determined than ever to remain healthy, Mr. Reddington joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training, and went to Anchorage, Alaska, to run a marathon at age 60.

Mr. Reddington loved to ski, kayak, bike and sail, and vacation with family.

"He had a true sense of adventure," his family said.

Besides his wife, he is survived by daughters Monica Slavin, Lisa Doncsecz, Diane, and Sheila Mennis; sons Marty Jr. and Kevin; and 17 grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 29, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 820 N. Hills Ave., Glenside, followed by a Funeral Mass. Interment is in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

Donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training, 100 N. 20th St., Fourth Floor, Philadelphia 19103, designated "Run for Reddington."

610-313-8102