Lawrence A. Martel

Lawrence A. Martel, 71 of Concord passed away at home on December 30, 2018 after fighting Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) for 8 years. Born in Manchester NH, Larry grew up in Allenstown, NH before buying his first house in Concord at the age of 20. He was the son of the late Lawrence W. Martel and Lorraine D. Martel both of Allenstown, NH. He was a graduate of Franklin Pierce University with a BS in Computer Science.

Larry had many interest in life- most of which he became quite accomplished before moving on to something else. He was New Hampshire State Men’s Singles champion, of bowing at 17. He also bowled a perfect game- 300. He was a certified bowling instructor. Larry wanted to become a profession, but that dream was never meant to be. He stopped bowling at 18. He raised tropical fish in his teen age years and grew Gloxinia plants for several years for distribution to local florist. He enjoyed being a softball umpire (Men’s, Woman’s and Little Leagues.) He was a proud coach of Woman’s softball and Secretary/ Treasurer of the Concord Woman’s Softball League for several seasons. Larry was honored with “Umpire of the Year” by the New Hampshire Little Leagues Association. He worked with Concord American Little League for 18 years serving on the Board of Directors, Treasurer and Umpire in Chief.

He was an avid runner, often running 40-50 miles a week. Weekends you would often find Larry racing everything from a 5K to a Marathon. Larry was a Bicycle enthusiast, especially with his beloved wife, Ewa, at Hampton Beach.

Larry was a wine maker extraordinaire. Along with Ewa they made wines that were enjoyed by many. As many as 700 bottles of wine were in Larry’s wine cellar at one time.

At 64 Larry started an incredibly successful online business selling fountain pen parts worldwide.

His most recent accomplishment was writing and publishing a book titled, “Breathless”, a personal story about his struggles with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibroses (IPF). It was distributed for free and can be viewed online at BreathlessOnline.com.

Larry worked at Sprague electric in Concord, NH for close to 20 years as a department manager. He later accepted a position as Director of Quality at Ladesco Inc. in Manchester, NH. He retired at 55 after the passing of his wife Kristal Martel with whom he had been married for 25 years.

During his later years he loved spending his spring and fall months at the condo at Hampton Beach.

He leaves his wife of 11 years, Ewa, who came into Larry’s life during his darkest and saddest time (3 years after Kristal had passed). She was like an angel, who lifted him up and brought joy back into his life with her incredible smile that came from within along with her ever present happiness and joy in life. Ewa was his one and only true friend who always stuck by him. He also leaves two children, Wayne Martel and his wife Laura of Allenstown, NH, Karen Sponholz and her husband Joseph of Bath, NY, and stepson Piotr Iwanski of New York, 8 grandchildren, and a sister Laureen Martel of Franklin, NH.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 10am – 1pm at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord, NH. A celebration of Larry’s life will follow at the funeral home. There will be a procession to Maple Grove Cemetery, Concord, NH. To share fond memories and expression of sympathy, please visit www.bennetfuneral.com for the Martel family.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301.