Victor 'Mr. Vic' St. Martin, 97
Victor “Mr. Vic” St. Martin passed away July 17, 2022, at the Montana Veterans Home.
Victor St. Martin was born Dec. 28, 1924, in Claremont, New Hampshire. His parents were Wilfred and Laurina (Giguere) St. Martin. He had three older sisters, Loretta (Clairi), Inez (Plouffe) and Gladys (Dolan). All have predeceased him in death.
In 1942 he met the love of his life, Evelyn Osgood, while they both worked in a shoe factory. They married on June 5, 1943, and spent their honeymoon in a refurbished chicken coop! Victor served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He was in a convoy, heading to the front lines, when they were told to turn around, the war had ended. He then served in the Army of Occupation in Germany. He drove trucks transporting prisoners. One day as he was shuttling prisoners, he let a wife run up to the truck and give her husband a hug. A colonel asked Vic, “Why did you do that?” Vic responded “Because I have a big heart.”
Victor and Evelyn heard about the land of milk and honey in California. They decided to head west in 1952. Victor worked for the United States Postal Service in Inglewood, California, for 30 years. He worked his way up to manager of the Motor Vehicle Division; he said he believed it important to be “Firm, Fair and Friendly.” His division experimented with the first electric mail delivery vehicles. Evelyn worked at Continental Airlines during the same time. Their whole married life they shared one car. He and Evelyn enjoyed the simple life, visiting and playing cards with friends, taking care of their homes, volunteering, traveling to visit their many relatives, square dancing, going to church, taking walks and raising their children.
Upon retirement, he volunteered for the Temecula Food Bank and then for the Murrieta School System. He enjoyed many years as a crossing guard and then making wood projects for the students to finish and bring home to their families. He usually was at the school every day with his beloved dog, Sandy. His friendly presence is remembered by a park at the school, dedicated to Mr. Vic and Sandy. The dedication ceremony was one of the happiest days of his life.
In 2000, Victor and Evelyn moved to the beautiful Flathead Valley to be closer to their daughter and family. Again, Victor started making wood projects for schoolchildren to finish and bring home to their families. This brought him great joy for many years. Victor lost Evelyn in 2004 after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Later, Vic and his neighbor, Katherine Cooper, spent the next eight years enjoying each other’s company. They joined the Jazz Society and had fun kicking up their heels dancing, taking walks and cooking together. In his later years, he could be seen about town on his scooter, enjoying his independence as long as he could. When he had to leave his home for assisted living, one of the neighbors said “You are Mr. Neighborhood.” Victor was always friendly and embraced wherever he lived. He was especially grateful to the many “Angels” who helped him at assisted living centers, hospitals, rehab centers and at the end, his “family” at the Montana Veterans Home. In his memory, give a healthcare worker a hug.
Victor leaves behind his three children, Douglas St. Martin (Debra) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Charline Payne (Tom) in Kalispell, and Steven St. Martin (Tammie) in Greeley, Colorado; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Vic’s family was his pride and joy!
Graveside services will be at St. Richard Cemetery in Columbia Falls today, July 21, at 3 p.m. with military honors. The family will try to arrange live streaming on YouTube.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity that helps animals. Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.