(CMR) Mike Martin, a former broadcaster with Cayman27 and general manager and director of WestStar, has died. Martin died this morning, 23 June, two days after celebrating his 82nd birthday.
Martin, who moved to the Cayman Islands with his wife, Brenda, in 1992, wore many hats over the years, including being a TV programmer and broadcaster, a charity fundraiser, and a family man. One of his many initiatives was the Cayman27’s Island Living Show.
Martin was also a skilled horseman who took regular rides along the beach in West Bay. He was also interested in cattle and spent many of his vacations being put to work on a cattle ranch.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Mike has passed away. Working with Mike was an honor, and his leadership and kindness left a lasting impact on all of us. During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones,” Kevin Watler, who worked with Martin at Cayman27, said.
April Cummings, who also worked with Martin said she found it difficult to say goodbye.
“I usually have lots of words. But saying goodbye to Mike Martin is not in my vocabulary. He changed our lives and the lives of people and Cayman through Cayman 27 and so many other ways. He was the grumpiest mentor, but incredibly kind. He showed up when we were searching for my brother with what seemed like 3 million fast food bags to make sure that everybody was getting fed. And when I started to sink into a depression that made it hard to get out of bed, he knew me well enough to call me and say it’s time to come back to work. He passed away this morning and we are heartbroken. But Mike would still have insisted we get up, tidy up, clean our desks and get back to work,” Cummings said.
Vanessa Allott said Martin cared for his staff and treated them like family, bringing everyone together as a family at Cayman 27.
“The Cayman 27 team was and still is a family, and that's because of Mike. He used to walk through Television Centre saying he was MBWA – managing by walking around. He knew connecting with people in their space, taking time for a quick chat, offering a suggestion or advice was so much more effective and empowering than sitting at a big desk in an office,” Allott said
He and Brenda were at the hospital when babies were born, attended weddings and birthdays. When the islands got the all-clear after Hurricane Ivan, Mike hit the road and started walking; he walked up West Bay road, stopping in on any staff to check on them, all the way to Television Centre,” she added.