Louis Joseph Martel

Louis J Martel, 96, of Lewiston, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the home of his daughter Carol in Merrimack, NH. He was surrounded by his son, Jim, daughter Connie and husband Paul, granddaughter, Kristin and daughter Carol and husband Steve.

Louis was born in Lewiston, Maine on June 29, 1926. He was the son of Louis Joseph and Mildred Phelps Martel. He spent his entire life in Lewiston and was a 1944 graduate of Lewiston High School. Following graduation, at age 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He received his basic training in Sampson, NY and shipped out for the South Pacific on November 15, 1944. He served his country proudly as a Seabee for the duration of World War II in the Philippines and Iwo Jima.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946, Louis enrolled in a post-graduate program at Lewiston High School. It was during this time at Lewiston High School that he met the love of his life and his lifelong partner, Germaine Poisson. Louis and Germaine were married in Lewiston on August 21, 1948 and spent nearly 70 years together. Germaine preceded Louis in death, dying of Alzheimer’s in February 2018.

Except for a brief time working as a roofer for Hahnel Brothers in Lewiston, Louis spent his entire working life as an equipment installation supervisor for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in Lewiston, retiring in 1988. He loved his job with the phone company and was greatly respected and admired by those who worked with him.

Louis loved his family and was especially proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an involved parent as his children were growing up and spent countless hours volunteering for the Blue Devils Sports Family, including several years serving as treasurer. He enjoyed spending his free time refinishing furniture and doing chores around the house and at the family camp on Androscoggin Lake in Leeds.

Louis enjoyed watching all sports and was an avid Bruins fan. In his younger years he spent some free time at the Elks Club. Over the years Louis served on various committees and volunteered for several organizations including the Telephone Pioneers, American Red Cross Blood Drives and Special Olympics. He was also actively involved in planning both his Navy reunions and his high school class reunions.

In 2011 when Germaine was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Louis lovingly cared for her in their Brooks Avenue home until the disease forced her to move to the Woodlands Memory Care Facility in Lewiston. Once there, he was by her side daily from 11:00AM until 4:00PM.

Louis was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Germaine. He is survived by his daughter, Carol and her husband Steve Ziedman of Merrimack, NH; his daughter, Connie Amnott and her husband, Paul of Auburn, ME; his son, Jim and his wife Tina of Gorham, ME; his son, Bob of Lewiston, ME; and his son, Dick and his wife Carla Lake of Auburn, ME; his granddaughter Kristin Carrillo and her husband, Jon of Merrimack, NH; his grandson, Scott Amnott of Phoenix, AZ; his grandson, Marc Amnott and his wife Lesley of Ringoes, NJ; his granddaughter, Laura Martel and her partner, Gabriana De Sousa of Waltham, MA; his granddaughter, Sara Martel of Norway, ME; his grandson, Jacob Zelmanow of Gorham, ME; his granddaughters Jill and Emily Ziedman; his seven greatgrandchildren, Bailey, Madison, Aidan and Ethan Carrillo, Evan, Jake and Thomas Amnott; his cousin, Helen Gagne of Lewiston as well as several nieces and nephews.

To all the caregivers at Home Health and Hospice Care in Merrimack who cared for Louis over the past year, our deepest and lasting gratitude.

A private memorial for the family will be held later in the summer.

Memorial donations to honor Louis’ memory can be made to:

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society

55 Strawberry Avenue,

Lewiston, Maine 04240

www.gahumane.org

Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice

15 Strawberry Avenue

Lewiston, Maine 04240

www.androsgoggin.org

Home Health and Hospice Care

7 Executive Park Drive

Merrimack, NH 03054

www.hhhc.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McHughFuneralHome.com for the Martel family.