Carthage - Martin T. Gaines, 59, of 603 State St., died Saturday, October 19, 2013, after being stricken at his residence.

Martin was born in West Carthage on March 23, 1954, the son of the late Claude and Myrtle Moffett Gaines. He was a member of the last graduating class of Augustinian Academy in 1972. He started work at the former Crown Zellerbach Corp. following his graduation. He was a Lab Technician with the James River Corp. until the closing of the mill.

Martin was a communicant of St. James Church, a past member and former "Fireman of the Year" in 1981 of the Black River Vol. Fire Dept., a former coach of the Grasshopper Youth Baseball League in Black River, a Literacy Volunteer and a member of the Disabled Persons Action Organization.

He leaves, four brothers: Alan C. Gaines, Patrick (Cathy) Gaines and Vernon Gaines all of Black River, Stephen (Lori) Gaines of Watertown, his sister Joanne Burto of Port St. Lucie, FL, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 1:00 PM at St. James Catholic Church with the Rev. George F. Maroun, Pastor officiating. Burial will be in Black River Cemetery. Calling hours at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home will on Thursday from 2 – 4PM and 7 - 9 PM.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Heritage Fund of St. James Church, 327 West St., Carthage, NY 13619, the Carthage Area Rescue Squad, 200 Riverside Drive, Carthage, NY 13619 or to the Black River Ambulance Squad, PO Box 314, Black River, NY 13612.