Paul Martin

Old Town – Paul Charles Edward Martin, passed away on February 25, 2023, at the age of 94. He was born on Park Street in Orono, Maine on June 17, 1928, the son of Ernest R. and Thelma (Fortier) Martin.

Paul was Vice President of his Old Town High School graduating class of 1947. During his years at Old Town High School, Paul participated in four sports; football, where he was an All-State halfback, basketball, track and baseball, Paul was also an Original member of the Old Town High Swimming Pool Committee and President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Following High School, Paul attended Higgins Classical Institute and the University of Maine. In 1950, Paul was drafted into the Army where he served two years, including nine months in the infantry division of the Korean War. The war had a lifelong effect on Paul, causing hearing loss and nightmares that he dealt with the rest of his days. Paul did not talk much about the war until later in life when he was asked to share his experiences with students at the Cole Transportation Museum. Sharing the terrifying stories of what he experienced was very therapeutic for him. Paul was also a Troop Greeter for many years at the Bangor International Airport, proudly greeting the troops and honoring their service.

After serving in Korea, Paul married the love of his life, Irene Martin from Old Town. He brought his new bride to Chicago, Illinois where he studied Electronics at DeVry Technical Institute. After graduating, Paul and Irene returned to Maine where Paul started a career with WABI TV and Radio as an engineer, and they adopted two children, Kevin and Lisa. After 10 years at the station, having obtained the title of Chief Engineer, Paul relocated his family to Morgan Hill, California where he worked in television and radio. They returned to Old Town, Maine in 1974.

After 67 years of marriage, Paul lost his beloved wife Irene to cancer and the world lost a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. He was also predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Thelma; stepmother, Helen; brothers, Raymond, Robert and Carl; sister, Patricia Morin and infant sister Virginia.

Paul is survived by his son, Kevin and his wife Betina, their two daughters, Vanessa and husband Tiaan Labuschagne and their daughter Aneeka and Amanda Martin and her Partner Tim Griffin and their child Finley; daughter, Lisa Martin and her partner Denise Yegge, and her daughter, Amanda (Doucette) Carleton and her children, Brian, Magnolia and Solomon.

Visitation celebrating Paul’s life will be held from 3-6PM on Friday, March 10, 2023, at Birmingham Funeral home, 438 Main St., Old Town, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Parish of the Resurrection of Lord, Holy Family Church, Old Town. Spring inurnment with military honors will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.

To offer condolences or to share a memory, please visit www.BirminghamFuneralHome.com