Frederick G. Gilmartin

Dr. Frederick G. Gilmartin (Fred or Doc), 91, of Bethlehem died Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. Born April 3, 1925 in Lykens, PA, he was the son of the late Emily (Kozier) and Clarence William Gilmartin. He was married to the late Audrey (Lawton) Gilmartin for 27 years. He is survived by his second wife of 39 years, Dr. Anne (Swortwood) Gilmartin who now resides in Scottsdale, AR.

Fred proudly served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre as a radio man 1st class on a PT boat. After the war he graduated with a Bachelors degree from Kutztown University in Education, a masters degree from Syracuse University in Fine Arts and obtained his Doctorate from Lehigh University in Education Administration.

Prior to coming to the Lehigh Valley, Dr. Gilmartin was an art teacher in New York State. He was the Art Coordinator in the Bethlehem Area School District for 18 years. He retired to Sarasota, FL after closing out his formal teaching career as the senior art teacher at Liberty High School for 14 years where his students fondly gave him the nickname of Doc.

Doc was the Past President of the PA Art Education Association and actively participated in the National Art Education Association. He was a founding member of the Lehigh Valley Scottish Society and the McLaren Pipes and Drums, one of the first bagpipe bands in the Lehigh Valley. He was instrumental in forming the Liberty High School Pipe Band with Ron Sherry. He was a long time member of the Kiwanis group and the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

Dr. Gilmartin made a second career of his art as an award winning artist. He had a passion for Art and was an avid painter specializing in watercolors and acrylic. He was also an exhibiting sculptor and photographer. One of his accomplishments was designing and supervising the execution of the Family of Man sculpture now located in Monocacy Park in Bethlehem. The sculpture sits at the west edge of the park and looks out over the Kaywin neighborhood where he first lived when he moved to Bethlehem.

Doc also loved camping, canoeing, the Jersey Shore and the Adirondacks, which tied in with his love of American History. In particular he was a student of the French & Indian War, The Revolution, and The Civil War. He sketched on location at the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. He was a known authority on the Colonial Navy, Michaelangelos statue of David, and The Molly Maguires, having given several lectures on all three. As a noted Plein Aire painter, painting the outdoors, on location, was the subject of most of his artwork. He was known to paint on the streets of Cape May, the beaches of Sarasota and even sitting in his canoe on Lake George, New York.

He also enjoyed dogs, having done some breeding and showing of Lakeland Terriers and Airedale Terriers with his wife Anne. Tinkering with cars was another frequent activity for Fred along with raising Orchids and bird watching.

Fred (Doc) was a firm believer in living life to the fullest. He gave his last painting lesson to his Granddaughter Caitlin the week before his death.

Frederick Gilmartin was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Sterling and his brother, Clarence William Gilmartin II.

Doc will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Susan A. Long and husband Kenneth of Capac, MI; son, Frederick Gilmartin, II and wife Lori of Bethlehem; stepdaughter, Abigail Jones and husband Eric Hauenstein of Cave Creek, AZ; stepson, Scott D. Jones and wife Cathy Sorsby of Austin, TX

He has nine grandchildren, Ken Long, Jr, Ryan Collins, Erin Barron, Caitlin Gilmartin, Aislinn Ruffini, Chloe Hauenstein, Garrett Hauenstein, Hadley Sorsby-Jones and Samantha Sorsby-Jones; and five great-grandchildren, Emma Barron, Delaney Barron, Liam Collins, Zoey Collins and Audrey Ruffini.

A memorial service will be held on June 7, 2016 at Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem from 6-8 p.m. where family and friends are welcome to share stories celebrating Docs life.

Contributions may be made in Frederick Gilmartin (Doc)s name to The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission P.O. Box 1851, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1851.

Memorial Service
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531