Steven Cecil Martin, 71, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on September 13,2013 doing what he loved, sailing.

Steve was born in Annapolis Maryland on Feb 7, 1942. He was a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and an accomplished sailor. In 1964 he sailed in the Olympic Trails. In 1992 he was inducted in the United States Coast Guard Athletic Hall of Fame.

After his Coast Guard duty, he started his career in Baltimore Maryland with IBM, where he met the love of his life Eileen. Three shorts months later they were married and decided to start an adventure. They bought a sailboat and cruised the world. Two years later they found the quaint town of Vero Beach.

Steve was a staunch protector of the Indian River Lagoon and it's beautiful shore line. He defended it for thirty eight years as the chairman of the city Marine Advisory Commission.

Steve was co-owner of Sun Sweet Fruit Company and retired in 2004.

Steve was a true gentleman of honor and character and the world will not be the same without him. We will miss his quick wit and mischievous smile.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Laura Martin (husband Chris Spoerer), son Aaron (wife Nicole) and his Granddaughters Quin and Tenley and his brother Kit Martin.

The celebration of Steve's life will be held Saturday the 21st at 1:00pm at Cox Gifford Seawinds funeral home. http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com/
Location: 1950 20th Street | Vero Beach, FL 32960 | Phone: 772-562-2365

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. http://ysfirc.org/
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 612, Vero Beach, FL 32961-0612