“06880” journalist John H. Palmer was involved for many years with the Westport Weston YMCA aquatics program. Today, he reflects on the life and legacy of former lifeguard, swim teacher and coach Martin Slattery. John writes:
If you’re one of the thousands who have learned to swim at the Westport Weston Family YMCA over the past 40 years, there’s a good chance you’ve known Martin Slattery.
A former lifeguard, swim teacher and coach of the Y’s Water Rats swim team since the 1990’s, he passed away in Texas on October 1. He was 53.
In recent years he endured significant health challenges, including stage 4 melanoma, congestive heart failure and end-stage renal failure, battles he shared openly with his friends on social media with his signature grit and optimism right to the end, when he died of heart failure during a dialysis treatment.
A celebration of his life was held last Thursday in Plano, Texas. He leaves behind his wife Deborah, sons Cadyn and Meryk, parents Martin and Margaret Slattery, sister Maureen and brother Michael.
Marti Slattery (right), with his family.
“Martin illuminated every space he occupied with his humor and exuberant spirit,” says Bob Knoebel, who served as the Y’s aquatics director from 1978- to 2005, before retiring to Idaho to work as a fly-fishing guide and at Sun Valley aki area.
“He carried that with him into the Brophy Pool at the old downtown Y, where he was everyone’s favorite swimming teacher. He taught thousands of Westport children to swim.”
Born in Stamford, he lived in several places, including Virginia, Colorado and New Hampshire besides Westport, before eventually laying down roots in Texas.
Martin’s journey in aquatics began in the ’90s as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Fairfield YMCA. He later joined the Westport Y where his aquatics background lent him well, becoming a longtime and beloved member of the aquatics community there.
“When I think of Martin I remember the person he was, the laughter he brought, his kindness, and the way he embraced what he did,” says Randee Ganser Bok, who as a young lead teacher in the Fairfield KinderCare program worked alongside him, and then again later when she was director of Camp Mahackeno.
“As senior directors at the Westport Y, we once again collaborated and utilized each other’s experience and knowledge. Today, I remember Martin with
affection and gratitude for the part he played in my life.”
As a swim instructor and coach for the Water Rats, he was known for his ability to connect with young swimmers and their families. He was never afraid to act silly to get a laugh out of a child.
To end his classes he lined up his young students and, using only his arms, created a 5-minute deluge that would leave the deck of the Brophy Pool drenched and his students laughing uncontrollably.
“He had an energetic zest for life,” says Ellen Johnston, a Water Rats coach for 40 years who worked closely with Martin.
“He was a tremendous swim instructor, and had the magic touch when it came to teaching young children of so many varying abilities.”
Martin Slattery (top right), Bob Knoebel (top left), and Water Rats.
Martin met his wife Deborah as co-workers at the Westport Y. They later moved to Texas, where they raised their young family. Always the tinkerer, he had a lifelong passion for automobiles and went to car shows whenever he could.
He often worked on his own vehicles in his garage, always refining his car detailing skills.
In Texas he translated his love of autos into a second career, working as automotive service manager for Subaru and Lexus dealerships.
“If you saw Martin today, you might not know the battles he’s fighting,” wrote his Park Place Lexus co-worker Taylor Mackenzie Haubrich in November.
“He continues to come to work every day, moving through the dealership with quiet strength, greeting his peers, helping clients, and slipping out only when it’s time for another treatment. His resilience isn’t loud — it’s steady, humble, and deeply inspiring.”
Current Westport Y aquatics director Brian Ference, who began his career as a lifeguard at the Y and served later as aquatics director at Camp Mahackeno, remembered his tutelage fondly.
“Martin, who was in charge of hiring and training lifeguards for the Stauffer and Brophy (downtown Y) pools, taught me responsibility and discipline when I began working as a lifeguard in 2002,” he recalls.
Martin was a familiar face at Westport’s aquatic events, including the Polar Plunge and Swim Across the Sound. He traveled with the Water Rats to their swim meets, and celebrated their frequent victories.
Many Westport families with whom Martin worked expressed condolences on social media.
Westporter Joanne Quinlan Heller, whose daughter Bonnie swam with the Water Rats, said, “Martin was so wonderful with Bonnie, teaching her how to dive from the blocks. He was so kind. May he rest in peace.”
“I am so sad and so sorry to hear that Martin passed,” said Felicia Berardi Watson, another Water Rats parent. “He was a wonderful, fun-loving young man, always with a smile on his face. My prayers to his family.”
