Martin Horkan

Mr. Martin Horkan, a longtime resident of Malden, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family at Forestdale Park Assisted Living in Malden on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at age 95.

Martin was born on October 26, 1929, in Farmhill, Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland to the late Martin and Mary Horkan, the sixth of their nine children and his father's namesake. Born two days before the stock market crash of 1929, the economic downturn made life difficult for most people in the 1930's. It was particularly harsh on people in the West of Ireland. With so many mouths to feed, each member of the family was raised to earn their keep at a very young age. Martin enjoyed working with and learning from his father who was a builder and subsistence farmer. He marveled at his father's ability to create, fix and repurpose things around the farm. Times became exceedingly more difficult for the family in 1940 with the sudden passing of their father, Martin. With the loss of their father, each family member was forced to mature and each had to assume a role in helping the family. Martin was eleven at the time.

In the ensuing years, Martin would end his "traditional education" at the age of fourteen. He became an apprentice at a hardware store in a neighboring town, boarding with the family and returning home infrequently. He enjoyed the work and learning about building trades. He sent most of his earnings home to help the family. He saved enough money to secure passage to England to join his brother Chris, who was working there, in his late teens. They spent nine years together in England with stops in Nottingham, Manchester and Birmingham, working hard and saving for a chance to move to "the land of opportunity"... America!

Martin, along with brothers Chris and Vincent immigrated to the United States in 1957. They had a basement apartment on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. They originally found jobs at the Lenox Hotel, and would perform any role from bellhop to barman. The three men were energetic and enterprising and always searching for new opportunities. They gained employment at Karas and Karas Glass Co. and they amazed their employers with their craftsmanship and work ethic. Things were going well professionally and Martin worked so much, he found that he had little time to put into finding a relationship. All of this would change on a chance double date with his brother, Vincent, Martin was introduced to a beautiful young woman, Anne Whooley, from County Cork and it was love at first sight. They were married on October 1, 1960 and settled in Malden to raise a family. Martin and his brothers, each, eventually spread out, settled down, found success and started having families of their own. The three families were always close and remain so to this day.

Martin and Anne established new roots in Malden. The couple had five children, four girls: Marie, Joanne, Theresa, Michelle and the youngest, a boy, Martin, lovingly known as Marty. They raised their family on Lanark Road for over fifty years. The Horkan family home was always welcoming to friends and family. Over the years the Horkan house hosted many fun, large parties and an unconditional welcome was afforded to all for a meal, a drink or a few days stay. Through their kindness and hospitality, Anne and Martin served as role models for generations of family, friends and neighbors.

Martin and Anne were fortunate enough to have a beach home in Wells Beach, Maine. A little slice of paradise by the sea, serving as a summer get-away from the heat and humidity of the city. It would become Martin's "side project" for the better part of the next thirty years. A place to gather with friends and family, everyone was welcome at the Horkans' beach house where the front room was filled with music and laughter, and where memories were cherished and created.

Martin lived a full, long and wonderful life. With his great longevity, Martin would become the patriarch for the entire Horkan family. He was affectionately called "Papa" by all of his nieces, nephews and his grandchildren. He was always available to them for a visit, a chat or a chance to offer sage advice. In later years, Martin and Anne sought assisted living in the very same Forestdale neighborhood that they had lived in for more than fifty years. This represented a full circle moment for the couple and they would spend the remainder of their days in Malden. Martin will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His capacity for hard work and his dedication to family were second to none. He loved his life and he was so thankful to have the opportunity to create so many special memories with his loved ones. His wit, charm and smile were with him until his last day. May he rest in well earned grace and everlasting peace with all of those who passed before him, especially, his soulmate, Anne.

Martin was the beloved husband of Anne Horkan with whom he shared 64 years of love, marriage, and friendship until her passing three months ago. Devoted father of Marie DiMeglio and her husband John of Wakefield, Joanne Pelletier and her husband Michael of Bedford, NH, Theresa Ventura and her husband Paul of Melrose, Michelle Colburn and her husband Kevin of Eliot, ME, and Martin "Marty" Horkan and his wife Cathy of Malden. Dear brother to his only sister, Sr. Nuala Horkan of Perth, Australia, and the late William, James, Tom, Joseph, Christopher, Vincent, and Bro. Paulinus Horkan. Cherished grandfather of Martin Pelletier and his wife Jessica, Siobhan Pelletier, PJ Ventura, Julia Ventura, Liam Horkan, and Sean Horkan. Proud great-grandfather of Eva Joanne Pelletier. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, and extended family in Ireland.

Relatives & friends are invited to gather in honor of Martin during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose, on Monday, February 17 from 3-6pm, and again on Tuesday, February 18 at 9:15am before leaving in procession to St. Joseph's Church, 770 Salem St., Malden for his Funeral Mass celebrated at 10:30am. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Please click here for the livestream

Gifts in memory of Martin may be made to Bread of Life, 54 Eastern Ave., Malden, MA. 02148 or online at Bread of Life Donations