Martin Rees

Adventurer.
Husband.
Dad.

Martin Rees, 87, passed away peacefully at a hospital in Syracuse, surrounded by his loving sons, Michael and Andrew, and his extended family from the area.

Born in London in 1937, Martin grew up during World War II, a time that shaped his resilience and resourcefulness. As a young boy, he would run home from school at the sound of air-raid sirens, his courage foreshadowing a life filled with adventure and focus on family. A veteran of the British Air Force, Martin’s journey led him and his wife Joan across continents, from England, through Nigeria and Guyana, to New York where he continued a distinguished career as a financial officer. He finally settled in Manlius in the forever home he built with Joan.

Martin was a man of passion, grace, and charm, wooing his beloved Joan with heartfelt letters and joyous singing. Even later in life you would find him humming “On the Street Where You Live” as he was puttering around the house. An Episcopalian, Martin found great joy in the Holiday services at Christ Church in Manlius, with Joan by his side. A lifelong lover of music, gardening, and meticulous organization, Martin embraced every aspect of life with care and dedication. His backyard croquet games and well-tended gardens were a testament to his love of simple joys, as was his sweet tooth that came across loud and clear whenever you opened his freezer and discovered a stash of mincemeat pies. It’s less clear why he was delighted in doing taxes all year, but it’s suspected he found joy working with numbers and in asserting dominance over TurboTax with his perfectly balanced spreadsheets.

Martin’s intellectual curiosity knew no bounds. An avid reader of history and historical fiction, he never stopped learning, even immersing himself in virtual reality at the age of 86. Though his adventures spanned the globe, Martin’s heart was always at home with his family. Predeceased by his wife Joan and brother Brian, he is survived by his loving sons, Michael (Michiko) and Andrew (Juraj), his cherished granddaughter, Chloe, his sisters-in-law June, Suzanne and Jenny, and nieces and nephews Kathleen (Jody), Patrick, Suanne, Deborah, Julia (Ronnie), Stephen (Maureen), John (Julie), Lynn and Kim and their respective families. Martin’s enduring legacy is one of resilience, love, and a life lived with quiet dignity.