WINTER HARBOR – Martin C. Estes, 82, passed away Aug. 13, 2004, after an extended illness. He was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Tulsa, Okla., the son of the late Robert Oren Pearl Estes and Mattie Josephine (Bell) Estes. Marty enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man. He was sent to China in 1944 as a radio intercept operator, where he received vital Japanese radio transmissions that were decoded and retransmitted back to the American forces. He proudly went on to serve his country for another 26 years, being transferred to duty stations in Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, California, Illinois, Washington D.C., Florida, and Maine. His last duty assignment was Winter Harbor, which he chose above all the places he had seen to spend his retirement years. At the age of 25, he met a Navy Wave by the name of Eleanor Cheney. They fell in love, married, and lived their lives together for another 57 years. Marty will be remembered mostly for love of, his country, his wife, his sons, their families, and golfing. He will be remembered as well for his quiet gentle spirit and extraordinary generosity. In the last moments of his life Marty reached out to our savoir with an understanding of his eternal life ahead. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Eleanor; sons, Mike Estes and partner, Molly Shields and Ben Estes and wife, Susan; grandchildren, Sara, Corinne, Michael, Mindy, Timothy, Christina, Johnny, and Joshua and eight great-grandchildren. His youngest son, John Harold Estes predeceased Marty in April 1995. Former daughters-in-law, Jane McGovern, Laura Estes, and Ida Estes will also dearly miss Marty. A special debt of gratitude is expressed to Mike Estes for the past several years of sacrifice in caring for Marty and Eleanor so that they could live together in their beloved home in Winter Harbor. A visiting time will be available from 12:30-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004, at the Ellsworth Assembly of God Church, 131 Beechland Road, with a funeral service to follow at 1 p.m., the Rev. Burt Lowry and the Rev. Joe Brown will officiate. Following Marty’s funeral, a committal service with military honors will take place at 3 p.m. at the Greenwood Cemetery in Winter Harbor. Our family wishes to extend a heartfelt invitation to attend a family and friends reception at the home of Martin and Eleanor Estes immediately following the committal service. Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelley-Campbell Funeral Home, 215 Main Street, Ellsworth.
MARTIN CLYDE ESTES
