Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) says it is establishing the Mike Martin Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Bursary in honour of renovation contractor Mike Martin, who died from brain cancer earlier this year.
Martin “will be remembered for his big personality, engaging sense of humour, his integrity, and his passion for the building industry,” the association said in a statement.
The GOHBA has a fundraising goal of $25,000 over the next few months, which will establish an annual bursary to support students following in Martin’s footsteps in Algonquin’s Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program in Perth.
“Mike had a passion that was really unmatched – his pride, his devotion, his conviction, and the joy he took in his work, is what people are going remember him by,” said Pierre Dufresne, vice-president, land development with Tartan Homes, who also volunteered alongside Martin at GOHBA for several years.
Originally from Labrador, Martin arrived in Ottawa in the early 1980’s, where he attended the Carpentry program at Algonquin College’s Perth Campus.
After graduation, Martin started Luxury Renovations, a multi award-winning Residential Renovations company. Martin and his wife, designer Suzanne Martin, worked closely together to serve the Ottawa community for more than 30 years.
Martin was also an instrumental force in bringing the RenoMark program to Ottawa, which continues to promote and improve industry standards, benefiting for both renovators and consumers. In 2019 GOHBA awarded Mike an honourary membership for his contribution and commitment to the professional renovation industry.
“Mike took on leadership roles at the local, provincial and national levels of the home builders’ association, because he believed in giving back to the industry, and that the best way to promote professionalism was to set the example yourself,” said Steve Barkhouse, president of Amsted Design-Build and long-time friend of Martin.
To donate to the Mike Martin Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Bursary, visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/63027/donation.
