RICHARD J. MARTIN

NORTHFIELD, Mass. – Richard J. Martin, 69, of 33 Hamilton Drive, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, Mass. He was born Sept. 9, 1939, in Old Town, the son of Clement and Alphena (Marquis) Martin. Mr. Martin was educated at John Bapst High School and graduated from Husson College. He started his teaching career at pioneer Valley Regional School, Northfield, Mass., in 1959. He then was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served two years with time in Germany. He then returned in 1962 to Pioneer Valley Regional School where he taught until his retirement in 1994. He served many years as department chair while at Pioneer and was also the director of the drama department, until his retirement. He directed many productions at Pioneer and the new auditorium is named after him. He was also the cofounder of Northfield Country Players and served on the board of directors at Shea Theater, Turners Falls, Mass. He worked for many summers with the Northfield Recreation Department in drama. He enjoyed bicycling and going to summer camp every summer at Beech Hill Pond, Otis. He is survived by two sisters, Yvette Tartre of Falmouth and Joan Drinkwater and her husband, Verle, of Melbourne, Fla.; one brother, Ronald Martin and his wife, Jan, of Bangor; many nieces and nephews; also his beloved dog, Dexter. Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave., Northfield, Mass., where funeral services will be 10:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17. A liturgy of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Church, Main Street, Northfield, Mass. Burial will be at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Donations in his memory may be made to The Foundation for Educational Excellence, 97 F. Sumner Turner Drive, Northfield, MA 01360; or Country Players at the Shea Theater, NPC Inc., care of Sara Campbell, 16 Prospect St., Erving, MA 01344. To send condolences or for directions, please visit www.kidderfuneralhome.com.