Russ Martin, 84, auto executive

Andrew Russell “Russ” Martin of Wilton, who had held posts in various automotive fields, died on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2005 at his home. A former Ridgefielder, he was 84 years old and the husband of the late Mary Ellen Schofield Martin.

Born in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 8, 1920, Mr. Martin was the son of Stanley and Florence Muszynski. His family soon moved to Detroit, Mich., where Mr. Martin spent most of his early years, attending local schools and graduating from the University of Detroit with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, attended the U.S. Naval School at Notre Dame, Ind., and served aboard the USS LCI (M) 1089 in the South Pacific as the commanding officer. He was commissioned in 1944 and was a recipient of the Victory Ribbon World War II, American Theater Ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific Medal, 1 star.

Mr. Martin was an accountant and sales specialist. For many years, he was a national sales manager for Mercedes-Benz.

In 1965, Mr. Martin, along with his family, moved from Washington, D.C., to Ridgefield. He established Martin Motors, a Toyota dealership, in Waterbury. Later he joined General Electric Credit Corporation in its auto leasing division, retiring in 1985.

He enjoyed music and singing. In early years he sang in musical theater in Chicago, and with the Detroit Civic Opera. In Ridgefield, he had sung with choirs at St. Elizabeth Seton Church and St. Mary’s Church.

He moved to Heritage Village in Southbury in 2001, and recently moved to Wilton.

Mr. Martin is survived by two daughters, Tess Riegel and her husband, Ted, of Wilton and Gigi DiLillo and her husband, Dave, of Danbury; three sons, James Martin and his wife, Dana, of Danbury, John Martin and his wife, Beth, of Haverhill, Mass., and Daniel Martin and his wife, Crystal, of Falmouth, Mass.; and four grandchildren, Jessica Martin, Ted Riegel, Ryan DiLillo and Timothy DiLillo.

Besides his parents and wife, a son, Thomas R. Martin, predeceased him in 2001.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday in St. Mary’s Church, Ridgefield.

Burial followed in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mid-Fairfield Hospice, 180 School Road, Wilton 06897.