WATERVILLE – Roland Martin, 74, passed away Nov. 25, 2010, at Lakewood Continuing Care, Waterville, after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for more than 10 years. He was born April 8, 1936, in Fort Kent, the son of Marc and Emily (Dubois) Martin of Fort Kent. He graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 1954, attended Husson College, Bangor, and received an associate degree in business administration in 1956, then proceeded to join his father in the family business of Frank Martin Sons – an equipment business. After losing his father and two brothers in an airplane crash in 1967, his mission was to make aviation safer in the area. He joined with other aviation enthusiasts and obtained funds to construct a regional airport. In 1971 Northern Aroostook Regional Airport was created with seven local towns participating. Funds were obtained for the airport and a year later a terminal hangar was built in the town of Frenchville, which was centrally located. With the love of aviation always on his mind, he became the first chairman of Northern Aroostook Regional Airport Authority. A year later he became its first fixed base operator. He and his wife were in the aviation business for 30 years, offering flight training, chartered flights, daily commuter service and aircraft maintenance. He loved and respected aviation. Roland was the first chairman of School Administration District 27, Fort Kent, a Northern Maine Medical trustee, member of Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club and Airline Owners and Pilots Association for 30 years. He was a member of the Maine Army National Guard for 34 years and retired as a command sergeant major for the state of Maine. He was an avid golfer and skier. He was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2002, and shortly after Flights Standards District Office, Portland, awarded him the Golden Eagle Award for his lifetime leadership, dedication and contributions to aviation in Maine. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Desjardins Martin; daughter, Kathy Corey and husband, Jeff, of Winslow, and their children, Emily, Erin and Joe; daughter, Jan Stanley of Franklin, Tenn., and her sons, Chris and Connor; daughter, Paula Martin and fiance, Zane Zwemke, of Aurora, Colo.; daughter, Rebecca Leonard and her children, Jamie, Jessica and Wesley Adams; daughter, Pam Emond and her husband, John, of Portland, and her daughter, Adrienne Cordes; his sisters and their husbands, Bern and Marc Michaud of Fort Kent and Florida, and Vi and Hobie Kemp of Palmyra and Florida; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Marc; brother, Nelson; and brother, Rudy, July 19, 1967, in Wallagrass; and his mother, Emily, in October 2004, in Fort Kent. Roland’s family thanks the wonderful, caring staff at Lakewood, Moonlight Bay for their devotion, compassion, understanding, care and love they had for Roland. As he would say, “You’re a good man and I like you.” Calling hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Veilleux Funeral Home, Waterville. A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Dec. 1 at St. John’s Church, Winslow. A committal will be afterward at Maine Veterans Memorial Chapel, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Donations in Roland’s memory may be made to Lakewood Nursing Home, Moonlight Bay Activities or the Alzheimer’s Association. A service of Veilleux Funeral Home.
ROLAND MARTIN
