Martin McCormick Named Garibaldi Days Grand Marshal
Garibaldi Mayor Katie Findling and the Garibaldi City Council are honored to select Martin McCormick to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 64th Annual Garibaldi Days.
Martin served in public works for the City of Garibaldi, most recently as its director, for nearly 33 years. And for the last 28 years and counting, Mr. McCormick has volunteered for Garibaldi Fire & Rescue, currently serving as a battalion chief. In fact, as we’re writing this, Martin is currently up at the Big G with firefighter Brad Marugg, clearing away vegetation.
He was born in the Huckleberry Hospital on U.S. 101 in Garibaldi between 2nd and 3rd St. and was raised by his parents Evelyn and Clayton in Twin Rocks in a house his father built. When Martin was a little older, he helped his father finish the home.
Standing 6’6”, Martin was a stalwart for his school’s basketball team. After graduating from Neah Kah Nie High School in 1979, he went on to Clackamas Community College where he received an associate’s degree in Wastewater Management. He worked through school performing construction, often working with contractors. Both the work experience and the degree would become invaluable to him throughout his life.
His sister, too, went to Clackamas Community College where she played volleyball, basketball and track. Martin and his sister attended the wedding of one of her volleyball teammates, Luan Garvin. While there, Martin met a girl who worked at the Good Shepherd home for handicapped adults in Cornelius. Her name was Myra. In time, Myra moved to Garibaldi, where Martin built them a house on the hill, and they made a home for their two athletic children, Nathan and Tia.
On July 25th, Martin and Myra will celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary together.
To the north coast’s benefit, Martin’s interest in public works came from his dad, who got a job in public works in Rockaway (before the “Beach” was added to the name) after the O/W Plywood Mill closed in Garibaldi.
In addition to Garibaldi Fire & Rescue, you can still find Martin at Twin Rocks Sanitary District, along with former City of Garibaldi Public Works colleague, Cory Perkins. “Cory & Martin” are still a duo that residents from all walks recall fondly. This year, during the big freeze that knocked out power to the city and drenched the streets in freezing rain and sheets of ice, they jumped to answer the call to open the community room as a warming center. The well-being of the people of Garibaldi is always front-of-mind.
From there, his interest in the fire department
came from working in public works.
“When I worked for the city, most of the people I worked with were also on the fire department, so that was a natural progression and a service to the community that was necessary. Mike Sheldon was the chief and I graduated from high school with him. I’d also like to add that the people in the fire industry are a good group to work with and explains the reason for staying as long as I have.”
50 years ago, Martin’s Great-Grandfather, John McCormick, was 1974’s Garibaldi Days Grand Marshall. A longx-time serviceman for the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2017, the Coast Guard named their 21st Fast Response Cutter vessel the USCG John McCormick in honor of his service and bravery. Recently, Marting and Myra were able to tour and sail on the vessel.
On behalf of the City of Garibaldi, we thank Martin for his service, his dedication, and his acceptance of this honor.
1004 Garibaldi Avenue, Garibaldi H24013
Under The Big G Food Carts
Teriyaki Country Squire Kitchen
Martin McCormick, courtesy Garibaldi Fire & Rescue