Martin is lovingly remembered for the joy he embodied, the love he radiated, and his delight in all things beautiful. For his exuberant impulse to move to the music—whether it was on the dancefloor, in the mosh-pit, or in the middle of the kitchen. For his playful sense of humour and his infectious laughter. For the love he shared with his partner John, a love so deep it seemed the two of them were one. For the loving bond he shared with his mother, from childhood through the later years of her life in care. For his innate appreciation of art—on the walls of museums or in objects of the natural world—and for his own artistic creativity.
The joy and love Martin shared with so many in his life remains a source of comfort to his family as they grieve his loss—to his partner John Clark; his sisters Céline (Franc Roiron), Dominique, Hélène (Leonard Bergmame), and Brigitte (François Giroux); his nieces and nephews Mischa, Élise, Isabelle, Pierre, Anne, Jean-Philippe, Vincent, and Marie-Andrée; and John’s brother Kenneth (Pamela Lockman). Martin’s six grandnieces and grandnephews will remember him as a loving and attentive great-uncle.
Martin’s many, many friends and colleagues who knew and loved him as a joyful presence in their lives are all deeply saddened by his death.
Martin grew up in Old Ottawa South and Alta Vista with his sisters and parents, the late Robert and Micheline Paris. He attended Charlebois High School, graduating in 1980. He graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in education and began his teaching career the following year in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, teaching French immersion for more than thirty years. He was a natural-born teacher, applying his talents outside the classroom from time to time at the Canada Museum of Science and Technology, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the National Gallery of Canada. After his retirement, he appreciated the opportunity to work as a part-time mentor for new teachers. He also volunteered as a tutor at Centennial Public School and in the Ottawa Public Library’s reading program, where both the kids in the program and their parents valued the help he gave the kids with their reading skills.
A celebration of Martin’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sacred Space at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, followed by a reception.
Donations in Martin’s memory to Plan International or UNICEF, programs that Martin supported for many years, would be greatly appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Pierre Trudel
Elise Zylinska
I am a friend of Helene's, and I didn’t have the chance to know your brother. I’m truly sorry for your loss and I am keeping you and Len close in my thoughts. Wishing the family comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Marie-Josée LeBlanc
Martin sera toujours mon « âme-frère ». Combien de fois nous avons parlé et rigolé ensemble. Il était mon partenaire en enseignement. Je continue de « lui parler »
dans mes pensées.
Daniel Morin
Martin aura apporté de la lumière dans ma vie. Impossible d'avoir le moral bas lorsqu'on était en sa présence.
Marthita Pennefather
Mes sincères condoléances à la famille, aux amis et aux collègues qui ont connu Martin. J’ai eu le grand plaisir de travailler avec lui à Woodroffe. C’était un enseignant dévoué qui inspirait ses élèves par sa bienveillance et son engagement. Martin avait une joie de vivre contagieuse, et je n’oublierai jamais son sourire.
Lynne Sylvestre
Martin, such a lovely person who was always a joy to spend time with. At work, at the cottage, at the Manx, at a dinner party, skating on the canal or on a walk in the woods. Martin was always fun and would fill any space with humour and laughter.
I met Martin in a parking lot as we parked our cars next to one another on our way to a teacher’s workshop many many years ago. We instantly connected and became friends and then colleagues. It was always a pleasure for me to spend time with Martin. I was at the cottage with him in August. He loved being there. Jumping off the end of the dock brought him so much pleasure. He took pride in swimming late into the fall even if the water was cold.
John, you are so lucky to have had such a wonderful person to share your life with for the past 40 years. Martin would have walked on that water for you. All of the beautiful memories he left us will forever be engrained in our hearts and I hope that you will find comfort in those memories, John.
Bien chère Hélène,
Je tiens à t’offrir de même qu’à ta famille mes plus sincères condoléances.
Mes pensées vous accompagnent durant ces douloureux moments.
Bon courage.