CORINTH – Donald J. Martin passed away May 25, 2012, of pancreatic cancer, at home with family by his side. He was born Aug. 31, 1942.
Donald grew up in Ludlow, Mass., and Holland, Mass., and graduated in 1960 from Tantasqua Regional High School, Sturbridge, Mass. He married his high school sweetheart and lived in Wales, Mass., had two sons and twin daughters. He was employed at Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass., was chief of police in Wales, Mass., and president of Wales Fish and Game Club. He attracted membership by stocking trout, running fishing derbies and raising pheasants. He was owner of Martin’s Market and Wales Package Store for 10 years before moving to Corinth. He loved taking his children when they were young to Lake Champlain in Vermont to ice fish and stayed at the Shorehame Inn, where they created many fond fishing tales. Bird hunting with his beloved dog, Drifty, and walks in the woods with granddog, Maddie, brought great enjoyment. Don succeeded in retiring young to enjoy life to the fullest. He had a special camp in Vermont, where he hunted with lifelong friends. His family camp in Maine holds many special moments of laughter where he hunted with sons and sons-in-law. Above all he loved hunting white tail deer from tree stands and was proud to still be hunting with the recurve bow. He also loved turkey hunting. Ultimately, he loved his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports. Don was a master woodsman and archer who loved all things about nature. Although his life ended too soon, he achieved all his goals and assured his family that he lived a good life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Anne (Haney) Martin; sons, Blane Martin and wife, Annette, of Oklahoma and Trent Martin and wife, Wendy, of Texas; daughters, Charlene Chasse and husband, Jim, of Veazie and Maureen Knowlton and husband, Lee, of Virginia; grandchildren, Robert Spencer and wife, Amber, of Oklahoma, Sarah Abrams and husband, Allan, of Oklahoma, Austin, Kyla and Aaron Martin of Texas, Nicholas, Landon and Hayden Knowlton of Virginia, Morgan, Taylor, Lexi and Brinsley Chasse of Veazie; great-grandchildren, Kristan and Ethan Spencer, and Allan Abrams, all of Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Rose Martin of Florida; nieces, Danielle Murphy and husband, David, and Michelle St. Martin and partner, Anita Obue; nephew, Michael Gamache, all of Massachusetts; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wes and Edith Haney of Corinth. He will be sadly missed by his wife’s seven brothers and sisters and their families; and special lifelong friends, Mike Frangakis and Bill Adams of Massachusetts, Harry and Eric LeMay of Oregon, Joe Blair of Vermont and Joe Haney of Bangor. He was predeceased by his mother and father; a brother, Kenneth Martin; a sister, Loyce Gamache and husband, Armand; and a grandson, Kyle Martin.
There will be a celebration of his life 10 a.m.-noon June 2 at Corinth United Methodist Church, Corinth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Eastern Maine or a charity of choice. Condolences may be made at www.legacy.com.