Family and friends are gathering to remember Quebec Superior Court Judge Fraser Martin, known for presiding over prominent cases such as the first-degree murder trial of former Concordia University professor Valery Fabrikant.
“If he could have, he would have wrapped us all up in bubble wrap and kept us safe from anything that was happening out in the world,” said Anna Mai Norwell, Martin’s widow.
“He knew what was happening with the job he had.”
Martin died of cancer at the age of 77.
He immigrated to Canada with his family from Greenock, Scotland at the age of 14.
Martin attended Sir George Williams University and taught Grade 6 in Pointe-St-Charles before completing a law degree at McGill University in 1964.
The longtime Hudson resident was named to the bench in 1983 and retired two years ago.
“Probably one of the best judges in the province of Quebec in the Superior Court, if not one of the best judge’s across Canada,” said Philip Schneider, defence lawyer.
Martin is survived by his wife, Norwell, children Micheline, Derek, Francine and Colette, as well as eight grandchildren.
“He would just read all the time and so, you would come thinking you knew a little bit about something and you would sit down with him and be like, ‘oh, I didn’t know,'” said Alex Angelini, Martin’s grandson.
The services are taking place at 434 Main Rd., Hudson.