MADAWASKA and SPRINGVALE – Ludger H. Martin, 94, died peacefully Jan. 2, 2010, at the home of his youngest daughter, Rita Daigle. He was born Oct. 29, 1915, in Madawaska – St. David, the son of Simeon and Annie Martin. Ludger was a veteran of World War II in the Army Air Corps and served as a flight radio operator during the India Burma China campaign. He flew “the hump” over the Himalayas more than 70 times. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. Upon returning from the service he went to work for Fraser Papers. He married his beloved wife, Alice and together they raised six children. Ludger was a devout Catholic and a communicant of Saint Thomas Parish, where he served as Eucharistic minister and lector. He was a longtime member of Knights of Columbus. Ludger also served many years on the Madawaska school board. He is survived by his six children, Bernard Martin and his wife, Patricia, of Portland, Marie and her husband, Glen Ronco, of Snohomish, Wash., Isabel and her husband, Robert Porell, of Windham, Theresa and her husband, James Grage, of Everett, Wash., Helen and her husband, John Merrill, of Bellingham, Wash., and Rita and her husband, Dr. Jeff Daigle, of Springvale; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Alice (LaPlante) Martin; his brother, Lewis Martin; and his sister, Marietta Martin. A funeral Mass will be held in Madawaska in late spring. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Arrangements are under the direction of Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.
LUDGER H. MARTIN
