Obituary of Martin E. Kirkland

Martin E. Kirkland, of Lockport, NY, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2022. He was 82 years old.

Martin was born on April 26, 1939, to Dewey E. and Catherine M. (Esser) Kirkland. He was the youngest of eight children. Martin served in the US Navy, honorably discharged in 1960. During his time in the Navy, he learned to make pizza which lead him to work as a pizza chef for PICO’s and Pizza De’lite in Tonawanda and other local Pizzerias. In his spare time, he assisted with the care of many Collies and Havanese dogs bred by his wife’s Kirkhaven Kennel over the years.

Martin had a passion for gardening, bread baking, and music. He played guitar, banjo, mandolin, and keyboard. He was also interested in Science and enjoyed studying slides with his microscopes, collecting gadgets and other technology.

Martin is survived by his wife Joan (Greene) Kirkland; his son Timothy (Susan) Kirkland; step-daughter Michelle (Tom) Walsh; granddaughters Anastasia Kirkland and Amanda Walsh; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Robert, Delores, Howard, Marion, Rita, Raymond, and Joan; and step-sons Larry and Wayne Smith.

"I can safely say, that to know him, was to love him. And to love him, was to know him. Those who knew him, loved him, while those who did not know him, loved him from afar."

At Martin’s request, there will be no service.