Martin Harris Shalek

Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua, NH. He was born June 12, 1936, in Malden, MA to Ernest and Theresa Dorothy (Goldstein) Shalek.

Martin graduated from Morris High School in Bronx, NY. Following graduation he served in the US Navy for 8 years where he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal; and was honorably discharged as Photo Mate – 3rd Class in 1962.

During his time in the Navy he married family friend and love of his life, Joan Vana, and they eventually settled in Nashua, NH, where they celebrated 61 happy years of marriage in October 2020.

Martin worked as a purchasing agent for much of his post military career and eventually became a sales clerk for a large electronics outfit. A true jack-of-all-trades, he was an entrepreneur and an avid hobbyist who loved to work with his hands from vehicle customizing to model building; to soldering the tiniest electrical component. He was a proud lifetime member of the NRA, steadfast on the ideals on which it was founded and stalwart on the Second Amendment to the Constitution of The United States protecting one’s right to keep and bear arms.

Predeceased by his parents, Martin is survived by his devoted wife, Joan Vana Shalek, his daughter Leah Shalek, of Karmiel, Israel; sons Paul Shalek and his wife, Lisa, of Danville, Gary Shalek, of Nashua, Peter Shalek and his wife, Donna, of Chelmsford, MA; grandchildren, Benjamin Shalek, Zacharia Shalek, J Shalek, Tirzah Shalek, Nicole Shalek, Russell Shalek, Charles Shalek, Alizsa Shalek, Allison Shalek, Riley Shalek, Dillon Shalek; five great-grandchildren; brothers, David Shalek, of Vergennes, VT, Jules Shalek and his wife, Robin, of Vergennes, VT; sister, Lois Graber, of Chestnut Hill, MA; many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and countless friends and honorary family members who admired and adored him.

Services will be held graveside on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 1 pm, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, in Boscawen, NH.

Services will also be streamed, signal permitting, via Facebook Live through the Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, NH Facebook page under Events. A recorded video of the service will also be made available through the same Facebook page at a later date.