Legendary Sabre Rick Martin died of heart attack

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - One day after his tragic death, the autopsy on Rick Martin has been released. The legendary member of the French Connection leaves behind a wife, two children along with a legacy on and off the ice.

The autopsy from ECMC has determined Rick Martin died of Hypertensive Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, which essentially amounts to a heart attack.

Cheryl Klemenz said, "I just think it's very sad the way that it all transpired."

At the scene of the crash on Main Street near Salt Road, a spontaneous memorial is forming.

Michael Roy said, "I just wanted to come down and take a look where we lost Rick. He was an acquaintance of mine, not a friend, but he treated me like a friend."

>> Just last month, Martin and other members of the French Connection surprised new Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula at his first home game

>> Take a look back at the career of #7 Rick "Rico" Martin

>> The Sabres are mourning the loss of one of their all-time greatest players

The Sabres Hall of Famer suffered a major heart attack as he drove down Main Street just after noon Sunday.

Dwight Grove said, "And I didn't know that was #7 that went by me."

In his Sabres jacket, Grove says he saw Rick Martin drive by moments before the crash.

"Went right by my window, my passenger window, and he was holding the steering wheel, but he was laid way back and his eyes were almost like closed, and I was saying to myself, "How could he possibly see where he's going?" Really didn't find out who was in the car 'til I watched Channel 4," said Grove.

Lynn DiAgostino said, "He was one of the guys who would actually talk to us."

DiAgostino used to work at the Aud, and his this story about a pool party in the 1980's.

DiAgostino recalled, "My daughter was a swimmer from the time she was 3-months-old, so she could swim. She was two and a half, she got up on the diving board and she jumped into the water and Rick Martin yelled, "The baby! The baby!" And he jumped into the pool fully clothed to go rescue her and he couldn't find her because she swam over to the side of the pool. So we we're all laughing hysterically and he didn't get mad at us, he thought it was kind of funny afterwards, too. But we tell the story, always. He's my daughter's hero."

Martin was pronounced dead at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Martin's family and the Buffalo Sabres announced Monday a public memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 24 at 11 a.m. at the HSBC Arena. More details about the event will be announced later this week.