Mr. & Mrs. John F. Martin -- 65 years

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Martin, Port Charlotte, Fla., formerly of Watertown, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at Olde World Restaurant, North Port, Fla., and family gatherings in September.

Mr. Martin, son of the late Frank J. and Mary Gossman Martin, married Viola M. Brown, daughter of the late Milton C. and Maggie Baker Brown, Sept. 30, 1944, at Post Chapel, Fort McPherson, Ga., with the Rev. William A. Maguire officiating.

Mr. Martin is a 1936 graduate of Watertown High School. He attended Syracuse University and is a World War II veteran. He served in Korea and retired after 22 years in the Army Reserves as a major. Mr. Martin served as usher at the official dedication of the 1000 Islands Bridge in 1938. He retired from New York Air Brake General Signal after 42 years of service and is a past president of the North Side Improvement League. He is a former exalted ruler and life member of the Watertown BPO Elks Lodge 496. He was a district deputy for the New York State Elks Lodge and is a member of the Port Charlotte Moose Lodge 2121.

Mrs. Martin graduated from Petersburg High School, Virginia. She was employed by C&P Telephone Company, Virginia, and the New York Telephone Company, Watertown. She retired from Watertown City School District after 15 years as switchboard operator at the Watertown High School. She is a charter member of the North Side Improvement League Auxiliary and a member of the Women of the Moose, Port Charlotte.

The couple has traveled to all 50 states and several foreign countries. They renewed their vows in Cana, Israel, Nov. 14, 1996. They are members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte.

They have two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia M. and Michael B. O'Driscoll, Brandenton, Fla., and Sally and Steven Peters, Woodinville, Wash., three sons and a daughter-in-law, Frank J. and Bonnie O. Martin, Orange Park, Fla., Wayne J. Martin, Watertown, Steven F. Martin, North Port, Fla., 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.