Martin F. Craine Jr.

SCARBOROUGH – Martin F. Craine Jr., 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, after battling illnesses in recent years. Marty was born in Kingfield, the son of Martin and Irene (York) Craine.
His family moved to Portland in his early years where he attended and graduated from Deering High School, class of 1948. Marty held various vocations and had many adventures before he met the love of his life, Donna Smalley. They were married in South Portland in 1954 and relocated to Fort Bragg, N.C., as Marty had joined the Army in the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. Following Marty’s service in the Army, he attended and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a BS in Civil Engineering. He and Donna raised their family of three daughters in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., and Sudbury Mass. Marty was employed by the New York Telephone Company as a civil engineer, where he enjoyed working in Manhattan for many years. He transferred to New England Telephone in 1974 where he was responsible for the first fiber optic networks to be implemented. Marty retired in 1991 and soon thereafter, he and Donna moved back to Maine to enjoy their retirement years and to reconnect to many old and new friends. Marty enjoyed fishing, skiing, golf, travel, and most of all, his family. He was happiest when he was with his family at Moosehead Lake and enjoying his boat or skiing Squaw Mountain, always surrounded with lots of laughter. Marty was committed to serving his community. His many years of service include serving on school committees, officer of Condo Association and upon returning to Maine, he joined the Scarborough Kiwanis and made many new friends. He enjoyed all of the volunteer work and events but the fishing derby where he could share his love of fishing with the children was his favorite. Marty will be remembered for his quick wit and great sense of humor, his willingness to help others and his love of life and enjoying every day.
He was predeceased by his wife, Donna; his parents, Martin Craine and Irene Craine; and his sister-in-law, Colette Craine. He is survived by their three daughters and their husbands, Kathryn Twitchell and her husband, Robert, of Uxbridge, Mass., Caroline Murphy and her husband, Peter, of Woburn, Mass., and Martha Armstrong and her husband, Chris, of Norton, Mass. He is also survived by his six loving grandchildren and great-grandson, Madeline and Alexandra Murphy of Woburn Mass., Emily Minor and her husband, Gavin Minor, and son, Ryan, of Douglas, Mass., Brent Mannarino and his girlfriend, JulieAnna Grubert, of Somerville Mass., Justin Mannarino and his wife, Nicole, of Bellingham, Mass., and Lauren Moran and her husband, Dennis, of Walpole, Mass. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Craine of Portland; brothers-in law, Tom Smalley of Gloucester, Mass., and Lewis Smalley of Texas; and many nieces and nephews survive him.
Marty’s family is very grateful for the care and compassion he received by the remarkable staff at Maine Veterans Home for his recent stay.
Visiting hours will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 04106. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at a later date at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Marty’s Memory to the Scarborough Kiwanis Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 846, Scarborough, ME 04074.