Maryboro Lodge Personality: Byron Martin

Byron Martin grew up on his family’s farm, which was located on the road between Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon. Because his mother died when he was 8, he and his brother Wallace came to rely on each other. They would live beside each other, sharing and cooperating throughout their working lives. Their farms were best known for their maple syrup. Initially, their customers were their neighbours, but their business grew until they were selling maple syrup worldwide. Their maple syrup became a very memorable part of Bobcaygeon.

In 1942, Byron married Kathleen Lee, whose family owned the creamery in Bobcaygeon. They both loved sports and supporting their community. Byron liked helping at the old Bobcaygeon arena when it was on King Street. His father was a longtime Verulam Township Councillor, Clerk and Treasurer, and he inherited a sense of community service. When the community began to fundraise to build a new rink, Byron organized a fair on Bolton Street. He helped to build the arena, and once it was completed, he was still there helping out at the rink.

For the rest of his life, Byron was a fixture at the Bobcaygeon Area. In the era before television, just about everyone came out to community events. In Bobcaygeon, Friday night was Junior ‘D’ Hockey, and the rink was packed with fans. The Bible Conference was also popular, as were movie nights, roller skating and dances. Many locals called the arena Foxy Martin’s Den—it seemed like he was always there.

Byron was a bit of a trickster, and it was often said you were never sure whether to take him seriously. When he wasn’t at the arena, he was often volunteering for the Anglican Church, Fair, Fiddle and Step Dance Contest, Curling Club, or helping his brother on the farm. For everything Byron Martin did to help Bobcaygeon—earning him Citizen of the Year for 1982—he was best remembered as the face of the arena. For most Bobcaygeon residents, the two were inextricably linked. When he passed away in 2010, after the church service, the procession headed to the arena, where someone turned out all the lights. It was a fitting tribute to the man who had such a great impact on the community centre for so many years.