Roger R. Martin

Roger R. Martin 79, of Hubbard Street died at his home Monday, April 6, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ludlow, MA December 17, 1929, he was son of the late Albert and Jeannette (St.Pierre) Martin. After attending St. John the Baptist School in his hometown, Roger went to Cathedral High School and Springfield Trade High School. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Korea where he fought with the 25th Infantry Division. He was wounded in early 1952 and discharged two years later after months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. He was awarded the Purple Heart. On May 14, 1955, he married the love of his life, Janet Flower of Hartford,CT; the couple settled on Hubbard Street where they spent their lives together raising six children. For two years Roger worked in town with his brothers in the family business, Martin Manufacturing. He later spent ten years as an employee of Ludlow Rubber at their local and Chicopee locations. He also worked briefly for Agway in Holyoke and Westfield. In 1967, Roger was appointed to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles as an inspection officer. After two years with the bureau in Pittsfield, he was named to the Springfield office where he worked for twelve years, the last three as assistant supervisor. He was then transferred to Chicopee, MA where he served four years as supervisor, retiring in 1985. Roger was a lifelong, dedicated parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church where he was a member of the League of the Sacred Heart and served as an Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of American Legion Post 52, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Inspectors Association, the Massachusetts Police Association, and the State Police Association of Massachusetts. After his children had grown, Roger and Janet spent many enjoyable years visiting Cape Cod and taking yearly trips to Bradenton,FL. Roger also like working on his home and in his shop where he was always willing to help anyone with a project in need of his talents. He especially enjoyed the numerous family gatherings where he could spend time with his children and grandchildren. They, and everyone who knew Roger, will long remember his generosity and outgoing friendly personality. He will be missed by his wife of over 53 years Janet M. (Flower) Martin, his children, Joan Haney and her husband Steven, and Laurie Smith and her husband Christopher all of Ludlow, Bob Martin and his wife Brenda (Guregian) of Princeton, NJ., Kenneth Martin and his wife Donna (Swiderski) of Palmer, MA Gary Martin and his wife Dr. Susan (Clinton) Martin of Hanover, MA., and Kevin Martin of Ipswich, MA. Roger was the loving grandfather of thirteen grandchildren: Dr. Brian Haney and his fiancee Katie Traczuk of San Antonio, TX., Julie Haney and Lisa (Haney) Vasquez and her husband Stephen of New York City; Dr. Gregory Haney of Malden, MA; Andrew, Sara, and Caroline Martin of Princeton, NJ; Jeffrey and Liane Martin of Palmer,MA; Liam and Eamonn Martin of Hanover,MA; and Quinn and Caden Smith of Ludlow,MA. Roger is also survived by his sister, Theresa Burek of Ludlow,17 Nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law Rev. Thomas Flower of Tariffville,CT., and family friend Kenneth Carrignant. He was predeceased by his sister Margaret Gagne, and brothers Leonard, Lawrence, and Thomas Martin all of Ludlow, and Raymond Martin of Springfield.

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