ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 7, 1996 TAG: 9605070047
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
Those who worked with Martin O'Toole say his brief tenure as Montgomery County's engineer had a beneficial impact that will endure for a long time.
O'Toole, 62, who died unexpectedly last week at his residence, brought a world of experience to the job, having guided construction projects across the globe. Locally he oversaw the building of three significant structures: the renovated Blacksburg branch library, the new county health and human services building and the reconstruction of the county pool.
His affiliation with these public works projects began in June 1995 when the county hired O'Toole. He and his wife were retiring to the area to be closer to family members, and the resume O'Toole submitted in response to a classified advertisement immediately caught everyone's eye, said County Administrator Betty Thomas.
"He just had so much to offer," she said.
A New York native, O'Toole had a diverse and active career. He helped to build pavilions at two World's Fairs, and resorts in the United States, Mexico and in a number of countries across the Pacific Rim. He also developed China's first foreign-owned hotel, and set up a Catholic church-affiliated program in California for the unemployed called Worknet.
Locally, O'Toole become intimately involved with the county's public works projects, and quickly made a favorable impression. His manner was affable, professional and thorough, said Jeff Lunsford, the county's assistant administrator.
"You could expect that Marty would have all the details worked out," said Henry Jablonski, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors. "He was a very talented person."
With a wealth of personal experience and a broad list of professional contacts, O'Toole knew the design and construction business and also knew who to consult when he needed advice, Jablonski said. "He did a super job looking out for the county's interests."
Last October, when the county Board fired the firm supervising construction of the new health and human services building, O'Toole was asked to step in.
"It was just an opportune time for us. We really appreciated his help," Jablonski said.
Perhaps O'Toole's most visible legacy will be the rebuilt county pool, which is scheduled to reopen by Memorial Day. He recommended the innovative, multipurpose and kid-friendly "frog pond" design for the facility, which has been closed for the past two years.
"So many changes have been made in the pool, and Marty's responsible," said Thomas. "The children will love that pool for years to come."
Replacing O'Toole, who had a temporary full-time appointment with the county, will be difficult, officials said. In the short term, duties will be reassigned among members of the county's staff. O'Toole stepped into the job after the previous county engineer left to run the newly created Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority.
The Board of Supervisors will probably discuss the matter at its May 13 meeting, Thomas said.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) O'Toole.by CNB