Courtdale boy hit by car dies
Borough mourns youth, 13, who was struck Wednesday when running to aid his injured dog.
May 2, 1998
By JUAN TORRES Times Leader Staff Writer
COURTDALE -- The son of a former borough police officer died Friday, two days after he was hit by a car as he ran to get help for his injured dog.
Now, a family, a neighborhood and an entire town are mourning.
"The death, I know, has affected the community. My phone has been off the hook all day," said James Gaughan, the borough mayor and second cousin of Ryan Martin, 13. "It's a community with heart."
Ryan, of Courtdale Avenue, died at Penn State Geisinger Medical Center in Danville at 5 p.m., according to a hospital spokesman.
Ryan was hit about 9 p.m. Wednesday
"It's hard when you see the kid walking home from school every day, and then not seeing him anymore. You hate to see it happen to anybody, especially when you know them. It just makes it harder."--Joan Gryniewicz, Neighbor
Courtdale Avenue and Helen Court while running to get help for his pet bloodhound, Elmer, which was struck moments earlier by another car, police Chief Hal Bond said Thursday.
The dog was hit by a motorist in the southbound lane of Courtdale Avenue. Ryan apparently was running back to the house when he was hit by a car in the northbound lane, Bond said. Ryan was not carrying his pet.
Ryan was taken to Community Medical Center in Scranton, then flown to Penn State Geisinger.
Gaughan, who considered himself an uncle to the boy, described the teen as a "super boy. He was good in school and he loved his parents and his (two) sisters. ... It's just a tremendous loss.
"He had so much to give and so much to live for," Gaughan said.
The boy's father, Kevin Martin, "is like a brother to me." The mayor and Kevin Martin are cousins, "but I was proud to call (Ryan) my nephew," he said.
Jerry Leedock, 41, who served on the Courtdale force with Kevin Martin, was the boy's godfather. Leedock, whose son attended Wyoming Valley West Middle School with Ryan Martin, was at the hospital with the family when the boy died.
"They're devastated. Ryan was a super, fun-loving kid. His classmates are all devastated," Leedock said. "It's been a long, trying day."
The Martins' neighbors were reeling from the boy's death.
"It's hard when you see the kid walking home from school every day, and then not seeing him anymore," said Joan Gryniewicz, 31, who lives across the street from the Martin home.
"You hate to see it happen to anybody, especially when you know them. It just makes it harder," she said.
A mother of three, Gryniewicz said the accident kindled her own fears about her children's safety, and she kept a close watch on them on her front porch.
"My daughter, she's a quick one to take off," she said of her 4-year-old, Amanda. "Since it happened, I'm right behind them, constantly."
As news of the accident spread, dozens of borough residents conveyed their condolences.
Several residents brought casseroles, bread and other food to family members over the last few days, Gaughan said.
Ryan was an avid auto racing and NASCAR fan. He recently began racing go-carts and won his first race.
"His parents were so proud of him and I was proud of him," Gaughan said.
Kevin Martin worked as a part-time police officer in the borough for 10 years. The boy is survived by his father, his mother, Donna, and two sisters, Katie, 10, and Dale, 7, Gaughan said.
Ryan's pet was not seriously injured. A neighbor took the dog, which sometimes is used by the county to search for missing people, to a veterinarian, Gaughan said.
Both drivers remained at the scene. Bond did not release the identities of the motorists Thursday, but said the man who struck Ryan is an Edwardsville resident in his 80s.
Bond could not be reached for comment Friday.
© 1998 The Times Leader
Ryan Martin
May 1, 1998
Ryan K. Martin, 13, of Courtdale Avenue, Courtdale, died Friday at Penn State Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after being struck by an automobile across from his home on Wednesday evening.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was son of Kevin and Donna Greco Martin.
He was an eighth-grader and on the honor roll at Wyoming Valley West Middle School, Chester Street, Kingston.
He was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Swoyersville and attended CCD classes. He was active in the Youth Group at Courtdale United Methodist Church, Courtdale. He recently began racing go-carts and was a driver for Keystone Racing Team. Last week he won his first go-cart race at Hamlin Raceway in Hamlin.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, David and Erma Bennett Martin.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his maternal grandparents Bert and Bernadette Dolchak Greco; sisters Kathlyn and Dayle Ann Martin, at home; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc., Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville, with the Rev. Michael Zipay officiating.
Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.
Memorial donations may be made to Geisinger Children's Fund, 100 N., Academy Ave., Danville, 17822.
Ryan K. Martin
Born July 14, 1984
Entered Into rest
May 1, 1998
May the Angels lead you Into
Pardise, may the Martyrs recieve
you at your coming, and take you
to Jerusalem the holy city.
May the choirs of the Angels
receive you, and may you be with the
once poor Lazarus, have rest ever
Lasting. Amen.
~Roman Ritual~
May the Souls of all the
faithful departed, through the
mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
