Last Monday, national alcoholism authority Father Joseph C. Martin died in his Havre De Grace, Md. home after a long battle with heart disease. The addiction treatment facility he co-founded, Father Martin’s Ashley, is a client of ours.
The world of addiction treatment by its very nature is relatively anonymous. Fr. Martin may not have been a household name to some, but if you talk to anyone who has been treated for addiction or their family members, there’s a very good chance they have seen his ubiquitous films – his “Chalk Talk” lecture being the most recognized – or read one his books.
The mainstream television, print and digital media coverage surrounding Fr. Martin’s passing was anything but under the radar. An obituary that ran in today’s New York Times was among the more moving tributes.
Representing an organization that literally saves lives has always been an incredibly rewarding experience for us. Working with local and national media to celebrate Fr. Martin’s life last week was beyond gratifying. It was a true honor.