Martin Alexander Pilat's Obituary
Martin A. Pilat, 77, of Grand Island Florida, passed away on June 9th, 2024.
He was born on January 26, 1947 in Cortland NY, a son of the late Margaret Helen Pilat (Holland) and Alexander Jack Pilat. He was born and raised in Groton, NY and resided in Locke, NY for 40 years where he created a beautifully landscaped and crafted home for his 2 children and wife.
Martin graduated from Groton High School during 1965 in NY, earned his associate’s degree from SUNY Broome Community college during 1967, then Bachelor of Arts in English from SUNY Oswego and a Public-School Teacher Certificate in 1979.
He was drafted into the US Army during 1970-1976, and was awarded various medals, including the purple heart.
He was rewarded an assistantship through SUNY Oswego where he taught freshman English and worked toward his master’s degree. He then taught at Groton High School then English at Moravia Central high school in NY for 30 years where he retired after 35 years of teaching. During his years at MCS he was involved in several high school theater productions by building sets and supporting the actors in public speaking skills. Martin was respected, fun and enthusiastic while teaching literature, public speaking and college freshman English through Syracuse University. He was a master storyteller with an engaging voice and laugh that would permeate throughout the school. He was admired by hundreds of students because he met them where they were, and then empowered them to grow beyond their expectations.
His talents and hobbies extended far beyond the classroom. He was a master craftsman with fine woodworking, gardening, caring for 30 bonsai trees, journaling, reading, fishing, bowling, golfing, dancing, laughing and camping with his family and friends. He and his wife Pauline knew how to celebrate! During the holidays they shared their enthusiasm with the neighborhood by meticulously decorating and wearing costumes. Halloween was a time to scare, while Christmas was a time to delight with beautiful Christmas lights at the Pilat’s house! Marty was also a member of a local investment club.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauline A. (Bush) Pilat: daughter, Kelly L. (Pilat) Hargett, [Will Hargett]; son, Martin J. Pilat; grandchildren Alisha Pilat, Ciara Pilat, Alec Hargett, Jeremy Hargett, Samuel Hargett and Arthur Hargett: 1.5 great-grandchildren Oakley Pilat with a 2nd due in October. His nieces Andrea McGlynn, Kristy Casson, Megan Sostre, Brandi Buggs, Addy Fetterly and nephews Tom Benedict, Chad Wood, Jon Shufelt.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Judith Anne (Pilat) Benedict.
Services will be held at Sunlake Estates, FL Fall of 2024 and Groton, NY summer of 2024.
Memorial donations may be made to:
Gerties Small Dog Rescue. https://gertiessmalldogrescue.org.
Check can be made to Gerties Small Dog Rescue C/O Linda Fadden 60 South Granby Rd. Fulton, NY 13069. “In Memory of Martin A. Pilat”
or
Powers Moravia Library. https://powerslibraryny.org. Check can be made to . Powers Library 29 Church St P.O. Box 71 Moravia, NY 13118. “In Memory of Martin A. Pilat”
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