DELAWARE, OH (WCMH) – After more than 50 years in business in downtown Delaware, cobbler Ralph Martin says he’ll soon be hanging it awl up.

Ralph Martin was recognized by the City of Delaware this morning with a proclamation naming today ‘Ralph Martin Day,’ after Martin said he plans to retire within six months.

“Ralph Martin has assured that shoes of all occasions and all tastes have looked better leaving his store, than they did coming into it,” said Delaware Mayor Carolyn Riggle.

Martin, 85, started working at the shop in 1961 before purchasing it in 1963. He does it all, repairing shoes, purses and farm leader. He worked there nearly seven days a week until he had a stroke last year.

Still, every day at 12:30 he closes the shop for an hour and goes to an east side restaurant with the boys and tells stories.

Martin is known for his generosity. One customer told NBC4’s Rick Reitzel she and her husband did not have two nickels to rub together and Martin repaired her husband’s shoes and told him, “pay me when you get a job.”

Former Sheriff Al Myers says he has known and respected Martin for decades.

He did special things for people and a lot of things he didn’t even charge for and in this world today that is a rarity,” said Myers.

Elizabeth Bodenhamer, Martin’s daughter, was delighted at today’s proclamation and attention, saying, “It means  a lot, it means people see him as I see him.”