Tributes have poured in for Mike Martin, former Cayman 27 broadcaster and WestStar general manager, who passed away suddenly on Sunday in the US.
Martin, who died two days after his 82nd birthday, has been credited with shaping the journalism careers of many employed at Cayman’s former national television station.
He first came here to work with Desmond Seales’ CITV and soon started working with Rod Hansen to get CITN/Cayman 27 going in 1992.
Cayman 27 was first a division of WestStar TV, before becoming part of Logic Communications in 2014. It was acquired by Hurley’s TV in 2015 and eventually closed in 2019.
During his many years of service in Grand Cayman Martin, a former Atlanta, Georgia TV executive, was known for his charity work, his passion for broadcasting and his deep love of horses. A former military man, he served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne, known as the ‘Screaming Eagles’.
He would often be seen on rides along the beach in West Bay when he lived on Grand Cayman with his family.
Many would remember the popular Cayman 27 Island Living Show, an initiative he spearheaded.
In 2013, Martin was awarded the Order of the Cayman Islands Medal of Honour (Officer) for his outstanding contributions to broadcasting and communications, Savannah MP and Parliamentary Secretary Heather Bodden noted on Monday as she reflected on his passing.
“Mike Martin was a gentle giant and a true friend, whose presence touched the lives of all who knew him. As General Manager of Cayman 27, he played a pivotal role in the modernization of the Cayman Islands. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife, Brenda. He will be profoundly missed, and his memory will remain a lasting blessing,” Bodden told the Compass in a brief message.
Former Cayman 27 colleagues took to Facebook to share their many fond memories of Martin.
Tammi Sulliman, former Cayman 27 journalist, talk show host and news director, said Martin was largely responsible for starting and supporting her career as a journalist in the Cayman Islands.
“I belong to a group of people whose hearts are full of gratitude for Mike Martin who shaped many of our professional and personal lives, and genuinely cared for each of us. Mike passed away this morning, and the loss is acutely felt,” she wrote on Sunday.
She said Martin hired her in 2007 and believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself.
“I certainly wasn’t the only one he impacted this way at Cayman 27/WestStar TV. As General Manager, Mike cared deeply about the work we did for our community. On his famous walkabouts around the TV station and cable operations, he would check on us in the newsroom and let us get on with it (after telling us to tidy our desks),” she said.
Anita Smith, former television programme director at WestStar TV, also shared her tribute to Martin on social media, saying that her heart ached knowing that her dear friend is no longer here.
“Mike was much more than a former boss; he was a mentor and beloved friend who left a lasting impression on my life. His exceptional talent and unwavering dedication were truly inspiring. Alongside [former TV station manager Frederick ‘Rick’ Alpert], he nurtured a community of gifted individuals who created a family at Cayman 27. He was a mentor who opened doors to incredible opportunities, leading us on unforgettable journeys,” she said.
Smith said despite his tough exterior, Martin was kind and caring, which endeared him to all who knew him.
“He was famous for his walk-a-bouts around the TV station, so he could see what everyone was up to. Mike was not afraid to lend a helping hand, which inspired us to do our best work. I will forever treasure the memories we shared and the friendship we had. My thoughts are with his beloved wife, Brenda, his family, and our Cayman 27 family,” she said.
Smith said the legacy Martin left will never fade.
Vanessa Hansen, another former Cayman 27 colleague, recounted that she met Martin when she was in high school, not knowing at the time that he would become her boss, mentor and confidant.
“He was a giant of a human – leaving a legacy that far surpasses anything that I can write. Mike didn’t just build a team at Cayman 27, he created a family,” she told the Compass.
She said on any given day, Martin would be walking the halls of Television Centre saying he was “MBWA – Managing By Walking Around”.
“He knew connecting with people in their space, taking time for a quick chat, offering a suggestion or advice was more empowering and impactful than sitting in an office. When the all-clear was issued after Hurricane Ivan, Mike started walking. He walked up West Bay Road, detouring down neighbourhoods where staff lived so he could check on them – his team, his family. He walked all the way to Television Centre that afternoon. It was the ultimate MBWA,” she said.
Hansen also noted that he was kind, loving and loyal, even though he appeared gruff on the outside.
“I can wholeheartedly say that I would not be the person I am today without Mike Martin,” she added.
Sheena Hurlstone, another former Cayman 27 colleague, reflected that Martin was a father figure in her life and losing him was difficult.
“When I think of Mike Martin, he was not just the General Manager, the Boss man, a friend, he was my TV Dad … Mike always protected me, always had my back even when I did wrong. I worked under Mike’s management for 20 years, from CITV to CITN / Cayman 27. I had absolutely no experience in anything, but he saw something in me and took the chance to give me a job,” she said.
April Cummings, former Cayman 27 news director, noted that saying goodbye to Martin was not in her vocabulary.
“He changed our lives and the lives of people and Cayman through Cayman 27 and so many other ways. He was the grumpiest mentor, but incredibly kind. He showed up when we were searching for my brother with what seemed like 3 million fast food bags to make sure that everybody was getting fed,” she recalled in her tribute.
She shared that when she started to sink into a depression that made it hard to get out of bed, “he knew me well enough to call me and say it’s time to come back to work”.
Though “heartbroken,” she said, “Mike would still have insisted we get up, tidy up, clean our desks and get back to work”.
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