The "Cafe Martin" Effect: John Martin's Story

NEWTON — John Martin has Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS.

Since he was diagnosed nearly two years ago, the people, sports teams, organizations and events, like Steve Buckley’s old-time baseball game, that have recognized John and his family, have meant the world to John.

“It’s just overwhelming,” said Martin, who spent more than two decades shooting sports for NESN. “It’s humbling, it’s amazing.”

Martin’s co-workers and friends could not say enough good things about him.

“I’ve known John for 28 years and he’s always been the mayor,” fellow NESN photog, Eric Scharmer, said. “Positive, a real people person, but he’s going to tell you the way it is and he’s going to approach everything and his life with a bit of gusto because that’s the way he’s always done things.”

“I’ve worked with John for 20 years, even before NESN,” said Patrick Gamere, who is also a NESN photog. “He’s a lot of fun, he worked really hard, he’s serious about his craft, but he didn’t take himself too seriously in life.”

“He showed me the ropes,” said Martin’s co-worker, Steve DaSilva. “He kind of taught be how to be photog and how to do Red Sox camp or Bruins camp and the ins and outs.”

Martin did so with a sense of humor and positivity that’s unmatched.

“I always described it as relentless,” said Steve Tagarelis, NESN photographer. “And I always used to joke with him about it. I used to call him insufferable, because it was this insufferable relentlessness of positivity.”

“It’s impressive to see him still be positive, smiling and happy,” said Greg Glass, WHDH sports videographer. “But you know you can choose how you want to live your life and John has always chosen to be happy.”

And Martin was no ordinary videographer.

“Everywhere you go, everyone knows him and wants to say hi to him,” Tagarelis said. “Every time I trained with him. It was crazy.”

You know what's crazy? When one of your friends is diagnosed with ALS. Now THAT'S crazy! It can feel scary and confusing. What do you do? How do you react? Do you talk about it or do you ignore the elephant in the room? It’s a delicate balance, but there’s a solution that has worked for John and his family.

A place called Cafe Martin.

“It has become a phenomenon,” Martin’s wife, Adrienne, said. “It just adds to the love and support and just the day-to-day fuel and love that we feel.”

“That’s where we can come and hang out and talk about everything under the sun and just be friends with John,” said NESN colleague Bryan Brennan. “And there were no problems in the world and it was a safe space and as things have gone on, it’s been a safe space for everyone.”

Cafe Martin is now its own brand. You see hats and shirts worn everywhere by people including David Ortiz, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, Red Sox manager Alex Cora and many more - all showing their support and love for John.

The proceeds are going straight to the Martin family and there is no shortage of gear making the rounds.

“I’m not really surprised with the support that he’s gotten because the community of photographers that we’ve worked with for all these years, we always support each other,” said Gamere. “Whether we’re in the field shooting and somebody needs a battery or something else, we’re always helping each other out.”

“There’s national people behind the desk wearing Cafe Martin hats,” said Scharmer. “That’s really what it’s come to.”

Even Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots, held a press conference boasting a Cafe Martin hat and expressing his gratitude for all Martin’s done covering the team and wishing him all the best.

“I appreciate everything he’s done reporting on our franchise,” Kraft said. “He and his lovely wife and two daughters are going through a rough time and our thoughts and prayers are with him.”

Whether it’s buying the merchandise, reaching out with well wishes or saying a prayer for our guy, every little bit is appreciated.

“The texts, emails, calls, the stops by, the Cafe Martin, all of it fuels him and keeps him happy, distracted, loved” said Adrienne Martin. “Our hearts are so full because of this.”

Cox Media Group