Tribute to Martin Garrett 

We're very saddened to report that our friend and colleague, Martin, passed away last Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Wednesday 12 May, 2021

Martin started working for the Council in August 1999 at Haydock House as a security officer, he then went onto work at Provincial House before he got the main gig at the Civic Offices. 

Everyone who worked with him would say nothing was ever too much trouble and he would always be as helpful as possible to anyone who asked him, often going above and beyond his job description, because he took pride in the job that he did. 

Martin certainly made life a lot easier for the staff he worked with and always had a cheerful and happy disposition ready to share a joke, always with a smile on his face. 

He was great at managing any difficult customers who came into the various buildings he worked in, with his natural empathy and ability to talk to people and deescalate any tension or aggression.  He was, in essence, a people person through and through.

Martin was also the life and soul of the party and loved to be out in a crowd of people where he could talk and gossip all night. 

He was one of the most kind and generous people you could ever meet and he loved to have a laugh and play practical jokes too with his warm and larger than life character.  

Martin was always game for a laugh and was happy to dress up as various characters, like Pudsey and a Christmas Elf, for some of the charity fundraising days the Council supported. All in all he was what you would call a Top Bloke.

His favourite saying was “it’s all good love”, even when it wasn’t. When his illness became worse and he knew that he would be undertaking more intensive treatment he bought himself a kitten for company named it “Chemo” which he thought was hysterical!  Typical self deprecating Martin. 

Martin’s philosophy in life was that nothing was ever so bad that you couldn’t have a laugh about it and he had a knack of being able to turn every negative into a positive, always looking for the silver lining.  

"Martin we will miss you incredibly and the world is a poorer place now that you are gone.  You will always be thought of fondly in the minds and hearts of the colleagues that you worked with at the Vale.  Rest in Peace our friend." Rachael Slee, Facilities Manager

Martin's family have created an obituary page where friends and colleagues can pay their respects and leave messages. 

We will also be placing a memorial bench in the Courtyard at the Civic Offices where staff can sit, reflect and remember Martin.

Finally, Martin's colleagues have set up a Just Giving page with the aim of supporting his family through this difficult time. If anyone would like to make a donation please visit the page. 

Thank you to everyone who came to the front of the Civic Offices on Wednesday 26 May, to pay their respects to Martin.