FRENCHVILLE – Fernand G. Martin passed away April 29, 2012, at the age of 88 years and 11 months. He was born May 28, 1923, in St. Agatha, son of the late Willie and Laura (Sirois) Martin.
Fernand is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma Cyr; and his four children, Larry and wife, Sally, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Elizabeth of Madawaska, Patricia of Freeport, and Andrew and wife, Gina, of Madawaska. He leaves six special grandchildren, Heather, Christopher and Nicolette Martin, and Alison, Tyler and Ryan Remalia; and one great-grandchild, Tanner Cyr. He is survived by two brothers, Ronaldo and wife, Muriel, of Clearwater, Fla., and Lucien and wife, Solange, of Bristol, Conn.; four sisters, Theresa and husband, Raymond Lorenzetti, Marcella Nadeau, Doris Noles, all of Bristol, Conn., and Jacqueline and husband, Charles Atwood, of Watertown, Conn.; and two sisters-in-law, Rose Martin of South Portland and Nancy Miller of Naples, Fla. He was predeceased by two brothers, Normand of Lewiston and Joseph Hermel of Bristol, Conn.; and one sister, Mildred Plourd of Bristol, Conn.
Fern was a farmer throughout most of his life and operated a concrete product business from 1965 to 2005. He liked to speak of the winter of his 17th year when he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Vermont and of the many trips he made to the lumber camps of the North Maine Woods to deliver hay for the horses. Fern loved to have a coffee and chat with the many friends and customers who “stopped by the house.” He served on the board of directors of St. Luce Villa and was a third degree member of Knights of Columbus. Fern’s love of family and love of the land were the cornerstones of his life. He had a talent for building the tools and equipment needed for his business and a passion to perform any and all jobs on the farm. The Martin family thanks the caring professionals at St. Joseph Nursing Home for the dignified and compassionate treatment they provided to Fern during the 2 1/2 years he lived in their care.
A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at St. Luce Church, Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Frenchville, with Father David Raymond officiating. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, and 9:30 a.m. until the time of services May 3 at Michaud Funeral Home, Frenchville. There will be a communal meal at the Frenchville recreation center after the Mass. In lieu of flowers, friends may have Masses said on his behalf or make a contribution to the entertainment committee at St. Joseph Nursing Home, Frenchville. Condolences may be sent to
www.michaudfuneralhomes.com.