CARIBOU – Richard J. Martin, 59, died Nov. 11, 2012, in Portland, after a brief illness. He was born Oct. 2, 1953, in Caribou, the beloved son of Larry and Thelma (Levesque) Martin.
Richard was a graduate of Caribou High School and after a couple of years of working in Caribou, he along with two very close friends, joined the U.S. Army, July 5, 1972. This was the apex of the Vietnam War and Richard was determined, as were his friends, to support the military at a time of need. Richard had a dream of becoming a combat medic and entered the Army Medical Corps. He knew full well that there was every chance he could be deployed to a combat theatre, but this did not deter him from his desire. Richard served during the Vietnam era and he was deployed to bases in the U.S. and Europe. Richard excelled in the Medical Corps and soon desired to fly with America’s Airborne Military Force. At age 20, he joined the Army Airborne Corps and graduated from airborne training at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning in Georgia. He was assigned to serve with Airborne Medical groups at various U.S. and overseas bases, and was proud to wear the Airborne Medical Corps wings known as “Dustoff.” Richard flew many medical missions in Huey helicopters and saved the lives of many soldiers on two continents. After approximately 13 years in the Army, he retired to pursue a career in emergency medicine as a registered nurse in several major metropolitan hospitals in New England. Richard was an avid outdoorsman, and immensely enjoyed hunting and fishing and year-round outdoor activities. Richard had many friends whom loved him very much and he enjoyed entertaining his friends at his lovely home in Perham.
He will be sadly missed by many. Richard is survived by his wife, Janice (DenBleyker) Martin of Portland; mother, Thelma Morin of Caribou; sister, Mary Richmond of Londonderry, N.H.; brother, Michael of Caribou; and brother, Robert Martin of New York. He was predeceased by a sister, Betty; and father, Larry.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, from the chapel of the funeral home. Interment will be at Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. After the services, all are invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at Lister Knowlton Post Veterans of Foreign Wars.
www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
Richard J. Martin
