- Date Of Birth: April 4, 1928
- Date Of Death: April 28, 2021
- State: Massachusetts
John Lewis Martin, age 93, died at home on April 28th, 2021 in the loving care of his wife Theresa and the presence of supportive family members.
John was born in his parents’ home in Franklin MA on the 4th of April, 1928. Known to many friends as “Johnny,” he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Theresa (Couture) Martin. John is the son of Joseph H. Martin II and Eliza Jean (Strachan) Martin original Upton residents. He is survived by a sister, Nancy Basciano, of Niles Ohio, and a brother, Colonel James A. Martin U.S. Army (Ret), of North East, MD. Many nieces and nephews, including grand and great grand nieces and nephews survive him and mourn his death. John is preceded in death by brother, Joseph H. Martin III.
John was a 1946 graduate of Grafton High School. Two years later, 1948, John enlisted in the Army. Slight in stature and build, there are family stories about how John met the weight requirement for induction.
In his early adulthood John worked locally manning a forest fire tower for the state of MA.
In his youth John developed an interest in stamp collecting. In adulthood he pursued a number of related hobbies. Later, with Theresa, John developed an interest in antiques and he became a self-taught repairer and restorer of antique furniture – chairs were a specialty.
John was always interested in sharing his hobbies with others, especially youth. Over the last 30 years, John encouraged and supported numerous individuals in the development of their interests, and in particular he gifted “starter” baseball card collections for many teenagers.
For those who knew John Lewis Martin (Johnny) there was no better friend or reliable neighbor.
While we grieve his death, Johnny will remain ever present in our lives through the wonderful memories which he helped to create – memories we take with us as we move forward in life. In his high school senior yearbook John posted this comment – “Happy am I, From care I am free, Why can’t they all, Be contented like me.”
