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Trisha Moeder posted a condolence
Friday, February 12, 2021
I just learned of Jim's passing. I was his legal secretary from 1995 - 2003. As I moved out of the area several years ago, we had not spoken to each other in a long time, but he made a lasting impact on my life. He never let his physical disabilities define him. He entire life was an example of perseverance. He was a tough boss, but he would do anything to help you. I was a divorced young mother of two young children, one of whom was severely autistic, when I worked for Jim. He helped me advocate for my son on many occasions. He helped me with other personal matters on many occasions. He was so funny and told many funny stories about his family. He always had the ability to laugh at himself. One time his fake eyeball came out and he had me looking in the trash can and in his vegetable garden for it. We just laughed and laughed. He helped countless numbers of disabled folks in Schenectady County who had been denied SSI/SSD benefits. He truly changed their lives for the better. His was a life very well spent. I will miss him. Trisha Moeder
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Susan Antos posted a condolence
Sunday, August 30, 2020
I worked for Jim Martin from 1979-1982 when he was the director of the Legal Aid Society of Schenectady. At that time, the City of Schenectady acquired our building on Broadway by eminent domain to create a parking lot. Our offices were on the first floor of a three story building. When it rained, the rain came in through the roof all the way to the first floor. Nevertheless, Jim gave the City a tough fight - first challenging the entire eminent domain procedure , and when that failed, being a tough negotiator, making sure that we got enough compensation from the City to find new offices. He did a great job – getting enough money from the City for us to purchase and renovate an office on Barrett Street. Jim was so proud of that building – he made sure we had a well-stocked library and modest but comfortable offices and a bright and welcoming waiting room. Sadly, not long after we moved into the building, the federal government cut funding to Legal Services and in 1982 our office was closed, consolidated with the Legal Aid Society in Albany.
Jim was a tough boss. He threw me into cases and expected me to learn by doing. It was the old days of legal services where we went to City Court in the morning to defend evictions, then to family court in the afternoon on support and domestic violence cases, and squeezed in fair hearings at the Department of Social Services to enforce the rights of recipients of Medicaid and other public benefits. Jim had a brilliant mind, and was a formidable litigator. There are many reported cases documenting his successful efforts to help those in emergency situations get the benefits they deserve.
• In Mazzie v. Staszak, he successfully argued that the rights accorded to families in the state’s emergency assistance program also applied to single individuals who were seeking assistance from the Department of Social Services when the proceeds of their welfare checks were lost or stolen.
• In McWilliams v. Stazak, and Lombard v. Staszak, he successfully argued that disabled individuals facing a utility shut offs who were denied emergency assistance from the Department of Social Services, did not have to exhaust administrative remedies before seeking relief from a court. Jim successfully obtained emergency assistance for his clients.
• In Couball v. Staszak, he successfully argued that hearing officers had an obligation to summarize evidence at a fair hearings, and make findings of fact to create an adequate record on appeal. Jim won the case for that client because the state failed to conduct a procedurally adequate hearing.
Jim fought hard and unsuccessfully, and all the way to the United States Supreme Court, to protect low income homeowners who fell upon hard times from having to give a mortgage to the County as a condition of public assistance eligibility. In 1979, I accompanied him to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City where he argued the Podrozik case. I marveled at his photographic memory. He could not see well enough to have written notes as references, but when questioned on points of law by the Court, he responded with the legal principles and with exact citations, right down to the footnotes. His passion to protect the assets of low income homeowners inspired me to continue his work on this important issue: welfare mortgages often eviscerate the only asset that many low income people have.
Jim had a tough exterior but a heart of gold. He was forthcoming about his difficult childhood – and showed me pictures of him at birth, explaining the multiple surgeries he had in Boston as a child, requiring him to be away from his loving family for long stretches of time. He was never looking for sympathy or pity - he was just sharing who he was.
Jim’s gift to me and many others who worked for him was his contagious passion to fight injustice. He made a marked difference in the lives of the hundreds of low income families who he represented over his lifetime. May the memory of the good he did in this world be a blessing and a comfort to his family.
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Arlene Williams lit a candle
Saturday, August 29, 2020
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My deepest sympathy to the Martin family. I have fond memories of Jim from his work at Family Court in
Schenectady. I worked as one of the Secretaries to the Judges for many years and always admired Jim for his
work with many needy people and their families. He was a caring and compassionate man who will be missed.
May he rest in peace.
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Bob Winchester posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
I want to extend my sympathies to the Martin family. I especially want to extend my sympathy to Eric who I had as a student at Niskayuna High School. You were a student who inspired others as well as inspiring this teacher. Your dad and mom raised a very talented young man as well as leading exceptional lives. I am sorry for your family's loss. I appreciate the contribution your dad made to making this world a better place to live, and our community a better place to raise families. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time.
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kanema haynes lit a candle
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
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First I would like to send my condolences to the family and want you guys to know you and your family is in my prayers. I pray that you guys receive strength, comfort and peace at this time in your life. :-(
Jim,
You are missed When I received the news of you passing I felt like I had just lost a breath of air. I can't believe you are gone. Jim I will always remember you for how loving and caring you were to anyone you came in contact with and the flip side to that you was just as much nerve wrecking as well lol. Now I know what it means to take the bitter with the sweet lol. I remember when we use to sit in the Courtroom for a trial and I would try to whisper to you about not being able to stay late for the trial due to personal reasons, (if anybody knew Jim, he needed to know your personal reasons or he was not going to speak up for you until he knew the whole story). So anyways I whisper to him and (for example) I said Jim I have to go because I have to get the baby from daycare, Jim would then say, "well isn't your daughter home?' I would say no Jim she didn't come home last night. Here goes Jim, um your Honor, Kanema just informed me that she has to leave at 430 because she has to pick the baby up because her daughter didn't come home last night because she was partying with some boy lol. I be like geesh Jim I didn't need you to tell my business lol. In those times I used to be like really Jim did you have to say something. Another funny moment with Jim was, now Jim couldn't see but I think he thought that people couldn't hear because he couldn't see. Well one day we sitting in the office and I'm talking to Jim and all of a sudden I hear this loud noise and of course it was Jim passing gas. So I yelled Jim and he was like what Kanema, I'm like you just passed gas right while i'm sitting here, he said oh I did excuse me lol. I'm like this is the end of our conversation. But it was little things that made it all worth it.
Well to end my memories I would like to give a message to Jim.
Jim as demanding as you were here with us and wanting things done your way, I'm not sure you can be the boss in Heaven but I'm pretty sure you will try. Just don't over-speak while you are being spoken to I don't want you getting in trouble with the Good Ole Lord lol :-)
Love you always and forever
My Mentor
Kanema Haynes and Family
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Karen Campbell lit a candle
Sunday, August 23, 2020
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Our condolences to the family. I know Jim from SBA. Always a kind and caring sole. RIP
Karen (Farstad) and Tom Campbell.
Jones Funeral Home, Inc.
2020 Central Avenue
Colonie, New York 12205
Phone: (518) 346-3881
Fax: (518) 346-3881
Email: JonesFuneralHome@aol.com
