Community Mourns ‘Morristown Champion’ Following His Sudden Death

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The community is remembering the extraordinary life of Christopher Lawrence Donovan Martin, a Morristown resident who was dedicated to civil rights, education, public service, and more.

Martin is remembered as a “champion” in the community, serving as the first African American member of the Morristown Board of Aldermen.

He died suddenly on Aug. 6 at the age of 87 due to complications of pulmonary hypertension.

Martin was originally from British Guiana, now Guyana, South America, before moving to the United States in 1957. He earned a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from Howard University School of Engineering and Architecture in Washington, D.C.

Martin worked several jobs to pay for his college tuition, his favorite being at the Cosmos Club, a private social club in Washington, D.C. It was there he met renowned atomic scientists, including Edward Teller, who helped him with his homework, according to Martin’s obituary.

He began working at the Allied Chemical Corporation in 1961, where he stayed for 20 years, building and designing chemical plants across the country. He briefly served as the corporation’s EEO coordinator.

A Morristown Champion

Martin moved to Morristown in the early 60s with his wife, Darlene, and their two sons, Deryck and Michael.

He immediately became involved in public service, spearheading initiatives for the tenants association, defending residents of Flagler Street.

The young civic leader also worked with the Morristown mayor during the Civil Rights Movement to redistrict the town to “ensure fair representation of the Black community.”

It wasn’t until 1967 when Martin, along with James Lassiterm, were elected the first African American members of the Morristown Board of Aldermen. Martin served two terms as an Alderman, and in that time, helped squash a plan to tear down homes on Franklin and South Street and replace them with high-rise office buildings.

Martin also pushed back on the construction of Route 287 through the middle of the town. When the resistance failed, however, he spearheaded a plan to relocate homes to Speedwell Village, known today as the Historic Speedwell.

He was also involved in the Fair Housing Council, the Urban Renewal Committee, and the Morris County NAACP.

A Leader In Education

Martin was heavily involved in Morristown schools, serving on the Board of Education from 1978 to 1982, bringing his “engineering skills to bear on the high school redevelopment project.” He served on the board again from 1987 to 1990, as Vice President and then President in the last two years.

Martin’s passion for education even brought him to a reception with President John F. Kennedy in 1961, where he represented the Howard International Students Association.

Additionally, when Morristown’s and Morris Township’s school systems merged in 1973, Martin was instrumental in organizing student busing.

A Lasting Legacy

Some other organizations Martin was involved in include the Urban League, the Morristown Planning Board, the United Way of Morris County, the Anti-Poverty Commission, the Morris County Park Commission, the Latino Soccer League, and the Board of Trustees of Historic Speedwell.

Despite all his focus on the greater-Morris community, Martin never forgot his roots in Guyana. He would visit Guyana often, regularly coordinating reunions of Guyanese expatriates in the U.S. He also left behind an unfinished book called “Winds of Change,” which focused on “idealism and corruption in colonial British Guiana.”

Another original book left unfinished by the local leader is “Morristown, Mon Amor,” a book dedicated to the town he was very proud to have served.

“(Martin was) a very key player in our government, and in many things, not just in Morristown but the county, and the state,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty. “We send our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to (Martin’s) family.”

The township has lowered its flag at half-mast out of respect for Martin and the legacy he left behind.

Chris is predeceased by his first wife, Darlene, and his sister, Claire. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anita, his brother, Anthony (Ruth), his sons, Deryck and Michael (Verlyn) and step-daughters, Kirsten (Rob Steidlitz) and Kari (Ron Maltz), his granddaughter Victoria (Dr. Robert Llanos), and grandson, Alex (Amy), step-grandchildren, Erik Maltz and Elizabeth Maltz, and three great-grandchildren, Alex Llanos, Chloe Llanos, and Isaiah Martin.

His obituary can be found here.