Death of Fr. Hilary Martin, O.P.
March 13, 1929 – August 18, 2026
The Dominican friars of the Province of the Holy Name, the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, and their friends were saddened by the death of a remarkable man, Fr. Hilary Martin, OP, professor emeritus at the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology (DSPT), Berkeley. He was born John Joseph Martin, in Montclair, NJ, to John Joseph Martin, Jr. and Anna Emily Krahmer. He was blessed with a close extended family with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, in addition to two younger brothers, Chris and Fred. While in high school in his hometown of Bloomfield, NJ, he repaired bicycles.
He entered the Dominican novitiate in Kentfield on August 30, 1949 (taking Hilary as his religious name) and was ordained a priest on June 10, 1955.
Fr. Hilary combined a pastoral heart with an academic’s mind. He earned a Master of Divinity and a Lectorate in Theology from DSPT, a Master of Letters from Oxford, and a PhD from UCLA, writing on Doctrinal Authority in the Church on the Eve of the Reformation. He taught Philosophy and Church History for over sixty years at DSPT, also serving for decades on the Core Doctoral Faculty of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), Berkeley. His published writings include two monographs as well as edited collections and many articles.
In 1982, Fr. Hilary Martin spent time in Australia, where he became fascinated by the culture, religion and mythological worldview of the aboriginal peoples, and became a trusted friend of their communities in and around Wadeye (Port Keats). This led to many publications, including several articles and two books: The Reality of Myth (2001), and, with W. E. H. Stanner, People from the Dawn: Religion, Homeland, and Privacy in Australian Aboriginal Culture (2001).
His interest in the history of the Church focused on the way Gospel values have influenced Western and non-Western societies, while his interest in other cultures showed him how the mystery of God can be expressed through religious myth and ritual and historic revelation of all peoples, especially communities of indigenous peoples who are often forgotten.
During Fr. Hilary’s long academic career, he was asked to serve in many roles: Acting Dean of the GTU, Regent of Studies of the Province of the Holy Name, Dean of St. Albert’s College, a member of the Intellectual Life Commission of the Dominican Province of Australasia, and a member of the Health Research Ethics Committee for the Australian Catholic University.
For many years he treasured participating in the faith community at St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland.
He is survived by his brother, Lt. Col. Fred A. Martin, his nieces Kathleen Rizzo, Lisa Withers, and Rebecca Poston, nephew David Martin, cousin Margo Martin, as well as many great- nieces and nephews.
Fr. Hilary Martin will be dearly missed here at DSPT, and will be cherished for generations for his contributions to the enrichment of our study and faith.
Memorial and Funeral Arrangements
Vigil: Wednesday, September 2, at 7:30 p.m., St. Dominic's Catholic Church, 475 East I Street Benicia, CA 94510
Funeral: Thursday, September 3, at 10:30 a.m., St. Dominic's Catholic Church, 475 East I Street Benicia, CA 94510
Burial: St. Dominic's Cemetery, 585 Hillcrest Avenue, Benicia, CA
Fr. Hilary Martin's final lecture:
