Daniel Leroy Martineau - NFL Player

Sometimes when I randomly select a kinfolk to ghost hunt and focus on I luck out and discover a character, a wild-child, a free spirit, a person who is an achiever of awesomeness and sometimes just a hard working man who colored in the lines.  Both of these Ghosts are wonderful. 

What kind do you believe this one was?

Born on the 29th of August 1900, 1 of 5 children in Solvay, Onondaga, New York. For those of you who don't know it is very near Syracuse New York. Daniel Leroy Martineau is my 8th cousin 2x removed. We share a Great Grandfather who was born in 1589. Thomas Bliss. 

                                   Daniel Leroy Martineau

I thought I was involved in a great many things and projects. Cousin Roy was too. He went through his adult life known as Roy Martineau.  He attended Solvay High School where he played football. He went from there to Syracuse University where he played football, was on the wrestling team and also the rowing team. 

On  12 September 1918 Roy and his father completed his draft card and on 11 October 1918 Roy was enlisted in the Marines and on Parris Island (the island of my People) South Carolina in training.  On 3 December he is assigned to the USS Delaware BB-28. 

She was a Battleship and the largest the Navy had ever launched. On 10 February is on duty in the Boston Naval Shipyard and on 24 March 1919 his enlistment is over. Not only did Roy train to be a Marine but he was also the Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the Atlantic Fleet in 1918. 

Roy meets the beautiful Marion Alice Sidnam and on 5 September 1923 they marry and Roy plays football professionally with the NFL team the Buffalo All-Americans where he scored 1 touchdown for the season. He changes teams to the Rochester Jeffersons and plays for 2 years.

Rochester Jeffersons Roy was #16 that year. This photo is from the 1925 game against the New York Giants. Looks like that is # 16 going for the block.

In 1925 Cousin Roy is appointed by the Intercollegiate Wrestling Association to be a referee and in 1933 was still refereeing. 

1926 you can find Cousin Roy being promoted as a Professional Wrestler and training under the direction of Herbert Hartley an English Lightweight Champion. He makes his debut 14 October 1926. 

                          Article about Roy Martineau

Assistant Football Coach for Syracuse University, Athletic Director for Onondaga Valley High School, Parks Director for the city of Syracuse  and avid golfer are just some of the adventures he had. 

Cousin Roy gets into to the Life Insurance Industry and by the 1960s is a Senior member of Martineau and Cadaret Insurance. 

While enjoying a round of golf in October of 1961 Cousin Daniel Leroy Martineau has a heartache and dies.