Living Legacy
Individually, Gene and Pat Martell are unique and delightful people--hardworking, dedicated and fun. Together, they make the ideal team.
Gene was born in Midland, PA, the eighth child in the family, with five sisters and two brothers. His father owned a clothing store and was the water commissioner. Pat was born in Ohio. Her father was a superintendent in a steel mill in Midland. She was an only child and her mother, having been one of 16 children, probably enjoyed the peace and quiet. She attended Catholic school and it was there, in the first grade, that she met Gene.
In high school, Pat was a cheerleader while Gene played three sports. Gene went on to receive a football scholarship to Notre Dame. Pat spent two years at Grove City College in Pennsylvania after which she worked for a time at the Mellon Bank and Rockwell Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh. In 1956, Gene received his B.S. degree in Finance and English. He was offered a professional football contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but elected instead to attend Graduate School at the University of Toledo where he was a Graduate Assistant and Football Coach. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling and Administration.
It was during the graduate school years that Gene and Pat were married. After receiving his degree, Gene coached football at the Toledo University followed by a stint as a guidance counselor and principal at a junior high in Marion, Ohio. Two years were spent as Director of Education for the Ottawa Job Corps at Port Clinton, Ohio, followed by a move to Buffalo, NY, as career counselor at SUNY at Buffalo, eventually becoming the Director.
Gene and Pat have three children, a daughter and two sons, and seven grandchildren. It was while their son was in the Air Force based at Williams Field, that they first visited Arizona. In 1996, when Gene retired, the decision was easily made to move from the cold, icy winds of Buffalo to the balmy breezes of Sun Lakes.
Both Gene and Pat have long histories of volunteer efforts. Pat worked at the University of Buffalo off and on during their 30 years there and also volunteered with the American Red Cross. She has been an active member of the Chandler Regional Hospital Auxiliary for seven years and served as co-president in 2004 with Gene. Pat is also past president of the Sun Lakes Friends of the Library. While living in Ohio, Gene volunteered with the Lions Club and later with the United Way in Buffalo, NY. He has been a hospital volunteer at Chandler Regional Medical Center for seven years, serving on the Executive Board as Treasurer prior to becoming co-president. He is the current president-elect of the Arizona Association of Hospital Volunteers.
Gene and Pat have been married for 46 years but, having known each other since childhood, are close enough to tease each other like siblings, yet with a deep underlying love and affection. When asked why they wished to leave a legacy for the Chandler Regional Hospital, Gene stated matter-of-factly that it seemed like a good idea to promote a high level of healthcare in the Southeast Valley, and this was a good way to do it. That's always how Gene and Pat do things--with commitment and dedication.
