When staff at Opportunity Partners helped Greg Martin land an interview for a maintenance position at Honeywell, no one could have predicted how that opportunity would shape Greg’s entire life. Greg landed that job – and held it for more than 40 years, rarely missing a day of work.
At Greg’s recent retirement party at Honeywell, his co-workersoffered him congratulations and hugs. Surrounded by pizza, cake and gifts, the group reflected on his career.
"He has a lot of friends here," said Jim Hillier, Honeywell’s facility manager who worked with Greg 16 years. "Every site was like a family to him. I’m sure he’ll do a lot of great things after he retires."
Over the years, Greg worked at nine different Honeywell locations throughout the Twin Cities, cleaning, sweeping, dusting and performing other janitorial duties. "He helps everyone, he’s dependable and conscientious," Jim added.
Honeywell employment records show Greg hadn’t had an unplanned absence from work since 1979 when he needed recovery time after breaking his ankle. His reliability was amazing, Jim noted, adding Greg would take a cab to work if for some reason his regular bus transportation was delayed. Greg, now 60, was likely one of the first individuals to take part in a janitorial training program offered at Opportunity Partners (then Opportunity Workshop) in the 1960s. Greg’s father, Fay Martin, said he and his late wife, Betty, began looking for a day program for Greg after he graduated from Roosevelt High School. "Betty looked at what was then Opportunity Workshop," he said.
After completing the training program at Opportunity Partners, Greg joined Honeywell in 1969. His case with Opportunity Partners was soon closed because of how well he was doing on his own. He went on to live independently in an apartment and has received no further social service supports all these years. "What a fascinating example of things working out," said Greg’s brother-in-law Mike Sherlock. "It’s just a great story."
Greg, who retired with a full pension from Honeywell, plans to take it easy now, spending time riding his bike, doing volunteer work or taking on a part-time job bagging groceries. His gratitude toward Honeywell is clear: "Thank you for letting me work here as long as I did," he said.
Thank you, Greg, for showing what value people with disabilities can bring to the workplace and to the world.
