Martin J Dempsey

Martin J. Dempsey, 87, of Matawan, NJ, died on Tuesday April 9 at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT.  He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Gert Dempsey.Born in Scranton, and formerly of Olyphant, he resided in Matawan, NJ for the past 56 years.  His parents were the late James and Eva Dempsey.He was a graduate of the University of Scranton and earned his Masters in Education from Rutgers University in New Jersey. He was a teacher and elementary school principal for over 30 years in the Matawan School District and spent most of his years with Cliffwood Elementary School.He was a devoted family man, a parishioner of St. Clements Church and will be missed by all who knew him.   He was a volunteer fireman and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Martin was a horse racing enthusiast and would enjoy spending time at the Freehold Raceway.He is also  survived by 6 sons and 4 daughters-in-law: Dan and Maria Dempsey, Marty and Tracy Dempsey, Jim and Zeny Dempsey, Tim Dempsey, Tom and Loren Dempsey, and Michael Dempsey; 9 grandchildren: Kayla, Kelsey, Ryan, Brenden, Aiden, Peter, Tyler, Jackson, and Shannon Dempsey.He was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, James and Bernard Dempsey.Mass will be held on Saturday at 9:30am at Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant.  Interment will follow at St. Patrick’ s Cemetery, Blakely.Friends may call on Thursday from 4pm – 9pm at the Waitt Funeral Home, 501 Highway 79, Morganville, NJ, 07751 and on Friday from 4pm – 7pm at the Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Ave., Olyphant.Donations may be made in his memory to Holy Cross Parish’s Youth Group Ministry, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant, PA 18447. To share stories, photos, or to send the family an online condolence, please visit www.waittfh.com.