John R. Martin III

John R. Martin III, a man of faith, intelligence, style, and immense personality passed away on June 22, 2026, in the presence of family and friends. He was born to John R. (Roy) and Mary Martin on December 4, 1949, in Akron, Ohio. Preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Jennifer Durbin, he leaves behind his devoted sister, Judy (Michael) Jansen; nephews, Michael Jansen II (Joy) and Christopher Durbin; great-nieces, Elaine, Eliza, and Mirabelle; great-nephew, Charlie; aunt, Norma Martin; numerous cousins; and many, many friends.

Early in his life, he lived with his family in Akron's North Hill neighborhood. After attending St. Martha and then St. Joseph Catholic elementary schools, he graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School in 1967. He later attended Bowling Green State University and The University of Akron, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. A veteran, he served in the Ohio Army National Guard, Troop N (Air),107th Armored Cavalry.

Though Akron was always his home, he at times lived in Chicago, Atlanta, and Charleston, S.C. No matter his location, John made quick but lasting friendships from the start, the result of a firm handshake, a sincere smile, and a confident self-introduction. Once he met you, you were his friend for life. He did not forget names or faces and made sure you did not forget his. By any standard, he was popular, if not beloved.

He was an entrepreneur associated with many businesses. For more than 35 years, he managed a variety of companies at the executive level, including start-ups, developing companies, and enterprise corporations. In 2003, to better protect individuals' identities, he helped pioneer identity monitoring as an alternative to credit monitoring. In 2005, he became the managing member of Privacy Solutions, LLC, one of the first identity theft protection companies.

John founded First Watch Technologies in 2010 and later developed a new approach to identity monitoring and an innovative technology for identity risk scoring that uses data rather than demographics. Since its founding, First Watch has provided data breach response services to companies, attorneys' clients, and insurance carriers' cyber liability insureds.

Beyond his business acumen and success, John will be remembered as a proud Italian American, dedicated to his family and, more importantly, for his steadfast belief in God and his commitment to his Catholic faith. He served as a lay minister and lector at St. Sebastian Parish in Akron, where he attended daily Mass and regularly received the Sacrament of Confession. As a result, he was prepared for death and comfortable with what his eternal future would hold.

John Martin lived out loud and filled every room with his spirit. He nurtured friendships across decades, bridged generations, and held together circles of people who might never have met without him. Those who knew him will not forget him, his friendship, presence, or his willingness to help. Above all, he will be remembered for his genuine love, respect, and thorough enjoyment of those he cared about.

This good man was not cheated by death. His 76 years were well lived, his heart well loved, and his soul completely at peace. His faith was his anchor, and his home is now with the Lord.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 29,11:00 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, Ohio, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Internment at Hillside Memorial Park, Akron. Ohio at 2:30 p.m.

A live stream of the service will be available below.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Sebastian Parish Foundation or the Julie Billiart School of Akron.