Attorney known for philanthropy
St. Martin, 63, a maritime and personal-injury attorney, was flying a single-engine, four-seat Maule aircraft alone Sunday afternoon over Brookings, Ore., when he crashed into a stand of trees behind a home. The plane then fell into a ravine, authorities said.
St. Martin was taken to Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, Calif., with spinal and other injuries. He was later transported to Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, where he later died.
Family said St. Martin was never happier than when he was flying high.
“He always said he was up there, close to God and close to Heaven,” said Sister Rosario O'Connell, who helped create Louis Infants' Care Center in Bayou Black along with St. Martin.
Louis' brother, Michael St. Martin, also a prominent Houma attorney, said Louis was an experienced pilot, taking on single- and double-engine planes as well as helicopters. Last week, he purchased the plane he flew the day of the crash.
Louis St. Martin leaves behind a wife, Linda, and three children, though family said he also took care of Linda's child from another relationship.
St. Martin had practiced law for nearly 40 years, his brother said, and had practiced in Houma for much of that time. He took on many personal-injury cases, including for plane crashes and offshore injuries.
“We went throughout the state, wherever we were needed,” said Houma attorney Estelle Mahoney, who had a practice with Louis St. Martin from 1986-2001.
Those who knew St. Martin as an attorney said he was always respectful no matter how tense proceedings got within the courtroom.
“I have lot of admiration and respect for him,” said New Orleans attorney John Calloway, who often defended people sued by clients of St. Martin.
Michael St. Martin said he and his brother were the first generation in his well-known family to practice law and that past generations were better known in the medical field. For many years, he said a large part of his brother's client base was in Texas.
Oregon Horse Rescue - News
St. Martin also started an animal-rescue shelter at his Raceland horse barn for pets separated from their owners during Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of animals took over the barn that year, loved ones said, though St. Martin had no qualms about taking
After the Humane Society arrived they contacted Cowlitz County fire and Rescue for assistance. 8 firefighters, 3 Humane Society staff, and an excavator owned by a neighbor freed the horse after 3 hours. A veterinarian from Valley Vet in Rainier Oregon
Stops will include the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Rescue Mission in Portland; the Beaverton School District Clothes Closet in Beaverton; the Friendsview Retirement Community, Love INC and the Newberg Downtown Coalition in Newberg; Medical Teams
EQUINE OUTREACH HORSE RESCUE OF BEND needs volunteers to help with horses' needs and grooming. Experience a plus. Orientations on Saturdays. Contact: www.equineoutreach.com or Cathi at catz66@gmail.com. FAMILY KITCHEN needs volunteers to provide hot
Cooper parachuted out of the airliner somewhere near the Oregon border, but no trace of him was ever found. However, in August 2011, the FBI said they were investigating whether a man who died of natural causes a number of years ago was the infamous
BlACK BEAUTY BANQUET AND AUCTION | Equamore.org
YOU’VE READ THE BOOK: NOW SUPPORT THE EVENT!
On October 22, 2011, the Equamore Foundation and its partners are hosting the annual Black Beauty Banquet and charity auction. Proceeds from this event will be divided equally between Equamore Foundation, Happy Trails Riding Center, Oregon Hay Bank, Progressive Animal Rescue, and Sound Equine Options. These participating non-profits help owners feed and care for their animals when short-term help is needed, offer disabled children the magic of horse-assisted therapy, and aide local governments in helping animals in desperate need.
Equamore Foundation encourages its friends to support this event in the form of a donation such as a gift certificate, service, or auction item. Your donation will benefit non-profits who are working together to tell the story of support and desperate need in our equestrian community. As a benefit to you, your donation will be displayed in an on-line catalog and at the event, which will host 300 of Oregon’s most active equestrian enthusiasts.
To obtain a donation form please email Jennifer Johnson (see address below). The information you provide will be used on the program and displayed with your donation. Please let us know if you need one of our volunteers to pick up your donation. We will be happy to do so! Tickets to the Black Beauty Banquet Auction are available on-line now, We hope you’ll plan to attend!
Auction items are needed!!!