First Person
William Martin
former chairman of the DePaul CatholicHigh School boardoftrustees
William “ Bill ” Martin ofFranklin Lakes was awarded the Vincent DePaul Apostle of Charity Award by DePaul Catholic High School at its 60th anniversary gala in recognition of his decades of service . Martin , 70 , graduated from there in 1964 and went ontoattend Fairleigh Dickinson University atnight while working at Grand Union headquarters . Upon earning amarketing degree , his career took off atdifferent companies , before launching and then selling five his own . Herecently stepped down as chairman of the DePaul Board of Trustees .
Avalues-based education
“ What really stands out to me is that when Ifirst went there – and it wasn ’ t my idea to go there , itwas my parents ’ idea – I realized DePaul was a no-nonsense place , but it was a family environment and that they truly cared about the students . They really did . I was very impressed with the fact that they wanted to teach values . They wanted to help kids become selfless , not selfish .”
Getting started
“ My involvement really began when it was time for my kids to go to high school . I wanted them to go to DePaul . They didn ’ t think it was a great idea , but they loved it when they got there . DePaul asked if I would help them run agolf outing for the first time . Inever ran agolf outing , but I ran companies . It was the golf outing , then it was the capital campaign and then it was the Education Council .”
Making an impact
“ My thing was never that my children would be millionaires , but rather that my children be selfless , caring , good people . That ’ s what DePaul does . We focus on values . Some of the kids are not Catholic , but the parents know the importance of what DePaul is all about . It ’ s also a co-ed school , and I think that ’ s the natural world we live in . We have to get along with everybody .”
FAMILYFIRST Bill Martin , alongtime supporter of the DePaul Catholic High School community , enjoys amoment with his grandchildren . ( Left ) Martin was honored at the school ’ s60th anniversary celebration with the Vincent DePaul Apostle of Charity Award .
Why he stayed involved
“ I had done very well in my life . I ’ m afirst-generation American . I exceeded all my dreams and goals , and I wanted to give back . DePaul wasn ’ t the only way , but it was a natural way for me to do it . I tried to make sure we were always putting out the best product and that we kept our core values in front of us , but we were also accountable in making the numbers work so we could stay in business . The truth of the matter is , unless people give to these schools , they can ’ t charge enough tuition to pay their bills . They really need donations . They ’ re all under enormous financial pressure .”
The next chapter
“ I retired from the DePaul board because I felt like I didn ’ t want to run meetings from Naples , Fla ., over conference calls . Ifelt it was time for ayounger person to take over , and I believe in turnover . I also thought it was maybe time for me to do other things . I ’ m on the audit committee of Oasis – a Haven for Women and Children in Paterson . I help them any way I can . I got involved with Habitat for Humanity in Florida . I donate to them , and through the community Ilive in , they organize atrip for us to go out once a year and we actually build houses . I recently was swinging a hammer , framing a house , for people who otherwise couldn ’ t afford to buy houses .”
Spread the joy
“ I just love giving back . It ’ s an interesting thing , you will never see a Brink ’ s truck at a funeral . You know why ? You can ’ t take it with you . I wish everyone would just realize that . Idid well and Icould afford to give back . Many people don ’ t have the mindset to give back . If everybody did something we could make this world a better place .” ■
– AS TOLD TO SAMPASSOW
COURTESY OFDEPAUL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
12 MAY 2017 WAYNE MAGAZINE