Tom Martin, 61; longtime aide to Southland Republicans
Tom Martin, 61, a longtime field deputy to former state Sen. Bob Beverly (R-Long Beach) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, died Friday of complications from cancer, Knabe’s office announced.
Martin, the son of a Manhattan Beach city manager who was immersed in South Bay politics, started his career in 1969 as an administrative assistant to Beverly, who had just been elected to the state Assembly. Martin worked for Beverly for 26 years, until Beverly retired from the state Senate in 1996.
A lifelong Republican, Martin then joined Knabe’s office, working there until retiring in 2005 because of illness.
Martin moved to Manhattan Beach with his family when he was 11 and his father, Gayle Martin, was named city manager. The younger Martin earned a degree in political science and public administration from USC in 1967, then served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
The lifeguard headquarters on the Manhattan Beach Pier was dedicated in Martin’s honor earlier this year.
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