The Cleveland High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame is proud to announce it has inducted Emil (Martincevic) Martin, Class of 1940, as its first member.
Emil, a remarkably energetic fellow at 102, is known to many alums for his annual visits to the CHS Memorial Forest, where he shares his military experiences with Cleveland students, staff, and visitors. He also attends the annual Alumni Association meeting, sharing his memories and the history of Cleveland High School.
Emil received multiple nominations for the Hall of Fame. The CHSAA Board presented the award at a dinner in his honor last November.
Early Life and Education
Emil Martincevic was born on February 1st, 1923, as the youngest of five children of Croatian and Serbian ancestry. His childhood home on 15th Ave. So., is across the street from Cleveland High, from where he graduated in 1940. As a freshman, he played football, but after sustaining an injury, he shifted to playing piano at school assemblies. He was active in intramural sports and basketball, orchestra, debate, the Toastmasters’ Club, Hobby Lobby, French Club, Honor Society, Vodvil, and Service Club. His hobbies included skating and music, and he planned a future in Forestry. His friends called him “Marty”.
Military Service
After attending the UW for two years, Emil enrolled in officer training school and became a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving in the Engineer Corps and as a paratrooper, he participated in major operations in the Pacific theater, including the beach invasion of Angaur Island and combat during the capture of Peleliu Island. Following Japan’s surrender, he was stationed on Hokkaido Island for over a year during Japan’s post-war occupation.
Personal Life
In 1946, Emil and two of his brothers legally shortened their last name from Martincevic to Martin. Emil married Evelyn Felger in 1949, and they had three children: Karen, Dan, and Terry.
Career
Emil worked for over 30 years at Burroughs Corporation, starting as a mechanical office machine repairman. He adapted to evolving technologies, becoming expert in repairing various office machines and copiers, including ATMs.
Emil Today
At 102 years of age, Emil remains active and engaged. He runs up and down the stairs during breaks in Seahawks and Husky football games, hosts weekly bridge tournaments at the West Seattle Senior Center, prepares Thanksgiving dinners for family members, and plays craps at local casinos monthly.
