Martin Tew

MARTIN JOHN TEW

3rd February 1953 - 18th May 2025

Born into a family with a strong Scottish ancestry, Martin was given into the care of a children's home in London, England, when he was three years old and his baby brother under 6 months. Martin protected and watched out for his brother from that day onwards. Watching out for and protecting others was what defined his life from that day onwards.

When he aged out of the children's home, Martin was sent to Turners Court, a Trade School, where he learned Mechanical Engineering and gained his legendary skills with cars and their engines!

While there, he became a member of the Royal Air Force Diving team at RAF Benson. A diving accident with faulty equipment caused a serious dose of the Benz, and ended that association, although he was a strong swimmer and enjoyed taking to the water and a variety of other sports for the rest of his life.

Working on high end cars in some very prestigious facilities in London, he noticed that those who had made a career in this field aged early and suffered a number of serious health conditions. When his best friend, Ray, suggested he join him working at a London hospital as a porter, for more money and better conditions, he didn't hesitate.

Martin soon came to the notice of both anaesthesia and orthopaedic physicians. He started working as a Cast Tech, then went to the Operating Room to work in both anaesthesia and surgery.

He took national certification examinations as they were mandated over the years. His final qualification was as an Operating Department Practitioner, which certified him to do everything from OR Director to floor cleaner as he liked to put it!

While working in the Emergency Operating Rooms in the Royal Free Hospital in London, a new Nurse Manager began work, and caught his eye. Three weeks later he asked her to marry him. They were happily married for almost 48 years, and blessed with two sons, Matthew and Marc.

After their marriage in 1977, he and his wife Lynne moved out of London to the Kent coast, where his pay was unexpectedly low.

Having spent time searching for an appropriate job in the orthopaedic market place he was employed by the Hexcel Corporation to support their linear polyester product Hexcelite in 32 countries! Working in both the human and veterinary markets, he taught casting, bracing, seating, and splinting.

During this time, the family enjoyed spending weekends together with friends in beautiful RV campsites all over the UK.

As a result of his work with Hexcelite, he was invited to work for their US distributor, and 3 years later with his wife and two young sons, Martin emigrated to Baltimore.

Because it took so long for their visas to get to the US, his position was reassigned and he ended up returning to his first love--caring for patients in the Orthopaedic OR at St. Joseph Medical Center, and working again with his wife Lynne, where he remained for 29 years until his retirement.

Whilst at SJMC, Martin touched many lives--colleagues as well as patients--with his kindness, compassion, understanding, wisdom, and humour. He was amused to be told by anaesthesia staff that many of the older ladies on the floor, after their total joint replacements, would squabble over which of them was going to take him home! They didn't appreciate that he was already happily married.

A lifelong history enthusiast he and his family became re-enactors mainly as 42nd Highlanders in the Revolutionary War period, but also in French and Indian War, War of 1812, and Civil War events.

When Martin and Lynne had difficulty keeping up with regimental life, to remain in the hobby, they decided to become Sutlers--vendors who follow the troops and supply them.

Their business sold goods they made together: Scottish Shortbread, English Bread Pudding, Assorted Fruit Crumbles, Beef Jerky, Pemmican, and a variety of herbal salves. It was very successful at events and via mail order and continued until his final diagnosis.

The arrival of his Grandson, Wyatt William in 2021, was the realization of one of Martin's great dreams, and his life revolved around the Little Man!

Martin is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, Lynne, sons Marc, Matthew and his wife Candice and grandson Wyatt William. In England, he leaves his sister, Diane Considine and husband Gerry, nephew Gary and great nephew Kane, brother Eric and wife Josie, and nieces Lilli and Linzi.

His Funeral/Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1 St. Mary's Church Road, Abingdon, Maryland, at 2pm on Saturday, June 28, 2025. It will be a Scottish-themed service, so please wear your kilt if you have one or something Tartan if you don't.

In keeping with Martin's wish to give back, in lieu of flowers, donations made in memory of Mr. Martin Tew can be made to the University of Maryland School of Medicine in support of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Neuro Oncology Research Fund. Checks can be made payable to UMBF, Inc and sent to the University of Maryland School of Medicine Development Office to the attention of Traci Morgan, 31 South Greene Street, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. Donations can be made online at www.medschool.umaryland.edu/give. Thank you.