Burke Legend Dies Suddenly

Rev. Richard B. Martin, pastor of Church of the Nativity in Burke, died of complications from diabetes over the weekend. He was 74. For the past 17 years he was a Burke presence, taking his ministry to the homes, restaurants and streets of Burke. Servers at IHop, Spartans, Friendly's and other local spots all knew him and crowded around his breakfast or lunch table for wisdom, humor and consolation. He is best known for founding Operation Starfish, a ministry to the poor of Haiti. Today there are over 1,300 houses in 9 "Nativity Villages," built by Food For The Poor, Inc. with contributions from Nativity Church parishioners - a beautiful legacy of service to others. Fr. Martin will lie in state at Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, on Thursday, May 8 from 2pm to 9pm. His funeral mass will be celebrated at Nativity Church Friday, May 9 at 11am.  http://www.fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituary/Rev.-Fr.-Richard-B.-Martin/Burke-VA/1378999