High-profile Mississauga football coach, former Toronto Argonaut has died

Peter Martin, who played professional football for the Toronto Argonauts and was a long-time teacher at Port Credit Secondary School, has died.

The Canadian Football League team announced the passing of the Mississauga resident today. He was 83.

“The Argos are saddened by the passing of Peter Martin,” the team announced on social media. “From his fierce days on the field to his legendary voice in the broadcast booth, his passion for the Double Blue never wavered. A true icon and forever part of our Argonauts family. Our deepest condolences to his family.”

Martin had been a mainstay in Canadian football since 1965.

Raised in Scarborough and then a member of the Western University football squad, Martin made the Argos in 1965 and for the next 13 years manned the defence as a linebacker. His only Grey Cup appearance was in 1971 when Toronto lost to Calgary in the final minutes.

Although he had a long career on the field, Martin is best remembered for being one of the radio voices of the Argonauts, serving as the colour commentator for 25 years. His radio work earned him a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

When his playing days ended Martin turned to teaching and for 33 years he could be found at Port Credit Secondary School where he taught several classes and coached many teams.

His love for football never waivered and he could always be found on the sidelines somewhere coaching, offering advice, or cheering on many of the students he helped to mentor. As such, he was one of the founders of the Mississauga Football League and in 1985 was inducted into the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame.

An active member of the Argo Alumni Association, Martin was named the Canadian Football League Alumni Association Man of the Year in 2016 and this year was added to the list of the All-Time Argos for his many roles with the team.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy, and their four children.