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