Carl R. Martin Jr. | Train director, 90

Carl R. Martin Jr., 90, formerly of Glenolden, a retired train director and volunteer fire company officer, died of complications from lung disease Sunday, May 23, at Little Flower Manor in Darby.

Mr. Martin grew up in West Philadelphia, the eldest of 10 children, and graduated from Overbrook High School. He did odd jobs for 10 cents a day to help his family, said a daughter, Dorothy Toomey.

During World War II, he served in the Army in Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

After his discharge, Mr. Martin, whose father was a train conductor, joined the Pennsylvania Railroad. For the next three decades, he was a train director, the railroad equivalent of an air traffic controller, for the Pennsylvania Railroad, for Penn Central, and for Conrail. He retired in 1979, when he had open-heart surgery, his daughter said.

For more than 20 years, Mr. Martin was treasurer of the Briarcliffe Fire Company in Glenolden. He was past president of the Delaware County Fire Police. He was active with firefighting organizations until he was 80, his daughter said, and received awards for his service.

He enjoyed woodworking, especially making clocks and furniture, and had an elaborate model-train layout.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Martin is survived by two brothers, three sisters, four granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren. His wife of 47 years, Dorothy Alloway Martin, died in 2005. A daughter, Carole Ann, died in 1993.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 27, at Spencer T. Videon Funeral Home, 400 Shadeland Ave., Drexel Hill. A funeral will be at 11 a.m. at Arlington Cemetery Chapel, 2900 State Rd., Drexel Hill. Burial will be in Arlington Cemetery.