James Robert Martin

James Robert Martin passed away in peace, surrounded by family at his home in Plymouth Meeting on May 7th, 2025. Fondly known as "Jim", he leaves a deep legacy of commitment to uplifting civic causes in Philadelphia. Beyond that, he advocated for the rights of children to receive quality childcare. One of his proudest accomplishments was co-founding Children's Village in 1976, a bilingual childcare program to support business owners and workers in the Chinatown district. The impact of his decades of work is reflected in his dedication to fostering labor union-management relationships, promoting urban development, and advancing job training programs for the garment industry.

Jim began his career in the Redevelopment Authority for the City of Philadelphia in 1964. He quickly rose to become the Executive Director of the Old Philadelphia Development Corporation, overseeing Penn's Landing's initial development. In the mid-1970s, he served as President of the Council for Revitalization, Employment and Industry in Philadelphia. In 1982, he founded the Philadelphia Labor Management Committee (PALM). As Executive Director of PALM, Jim used his leadership skills to bring together the Building Trades with the Management of companies across major industries such as gas and oil refining. He added to this portfolio working with SEPTA to create innovative labor/management working groups to allow workers to participate in strategic planning and workplace improvements. His other clients included the School District of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Jim loved travel, and with his late wife, Ruth Harvey (1942-2011; m. 1990-2011), they traveled the globe and had many amazing adventures. He was a lover of classical music and folk music and had season tickets to the Philadelphia Orchestra and annually attended the Philadelphia Folk Fair. 

Jim is survived by his first wife, Arlene Severola Martin (m. 1963-1978), with whom he had their two sons, Eugene and Ted. Jim is also survived by his brother Edmond Martin, his sons Theodore Martin and his wife Tammy Martin, along with their children, Domenik and Caroline; Eugene Martin and his wife Carol Howe, together with their children, Ty, Sophie, and Maya; his stepson David Harvey and his wife Mavash Harvey, and their children Zach, Parisa, and Sheyda; his stepdaughter Rachel Harvey Sanchez and her son Arturo Sanchez; and many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service and celebration of Jim's life will be held on July 12th, 2025, in Philadelphia. Time and place to be determined. For information on the memorial service, contact Mary Graham, maryg@childrensvillagephila.org