Rev. George Martinson, a much-loved Jesuit priest from the U.S. who passed away earlier this year in Taipei City, was posthumously honored Dec. 5 by the Ministry of Education for his lifelong efforts to promote English language learning and help the disadvantaged in Taiwan.
Martinson was announced as the inaugural winner of the MOE’s lifetime contribution award at the ministry’s annual ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations for supporting the nation’s education environment. The honor was presented to Martinson’s younger brother Barry, a Jesuit priest who has worked primarily in northern Taiwan’s Hsinchu County for the past four decades.
MOE Minister Pan Wen-chung said at the event that the award demonstrates the Taiwan people’s deep respect and enduring gratitude for the late reverend’s decadeslong commitment to promoting education and providing assistance to the needy.
Rev. Barry Martinson said he was honored to receive the award on his sibling’s behalf, adding that he believed his brother would be moved to know that he was missed by the people of Taiwan. “My older brother always said that he wanted to do something different to positively impact people’s lives and I think that he lived up to the goals he set himself.”
Better known as Uncle Jerry, Rev. George Martinson arrived in the country in 1967 and went on to become a popular TV personality and the host of several English teaching shows. He also worked for decades with the Kuangchi Program Service—a cultural and educational audiovisual agency managed by the local chapter of the Society of Jesus—prior to his death May 31 aged 75.
During his time with KPS, Martinson produced programs promoting the rights of the disadvantaged in Taiwan, and also spent time touring the country and talking with youths and underprivileged groups.
In 2015, Martinson was honored for his contributions to society and public services by the Ministry of the Interior. On June 1, he was posthumously issued with his Republic of China (Taiwan) Certificate of Naturalization and citizenship card. (CPY-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw