Frederick James Martin, age 90, passed on March 10, 2020 in Milford, CT. He was born December 1, 1929 to the late Stephen Paul Martin (1937) and Anna Eve Pekar (1934), in Bridgeport, CT.
Fred was the second youngest of nine children, and was raised by his eldest siblings, Stephen and Mary, from age seven on. He developed a passion for art at an early age, once winning a bicycle for an illustration. At 15, Fred worked with his brother Emil driving a bread delivery truck route before school. He graduated from Harding High School in Bridgeport, and joined the Merchant Marines at 17, where he was stationed in the Gulf of Mexico. He then served stateside in the US Army at Fort Bragg and Fort Riley during the Korean War. While in the Army, he was a Boxer, an Illustrator, and a Lithographer/Offset Stripper – the latter becoming his profession. He was employed by New England Printing & Lithography of Bridgeport, Hubbards, Herlin Press, Koppel Photo Engraving of New Haven, Kurt Volk Publishing of Milford, and George Schmitt & Co. in Branford. He retired in 1995.
Fred was a kind, good hearted, devoted father and husband. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Joan Losier (2011). They raised their five children on Nutmeg Lane in Milford. Fred was also predeceased by his siblings, Emil William (1985), Stephen Paul (1978), Mary Frances (Rusnak) 2012, Edward Joseph (1976), Irene (Ryan) 2005, Millie (1926) and Dorothy Ann (Reiter) 2014.
He is survived by his younger brother, Robert and Darlene of Cottonwood, AZ; his three sons, Daniel Martin of Milford, CT, John Martin of Milford, CT, and Jim and Joan Martin of upstate New York; his two daughters, Patricia Volk of Milford, CT and Vivian and Kurt Cadenhead of Hebron, CT; his seven grandchildren, Shawn Upton of West Haven, CT, Michelle Upton of Milford, CT, Danielle Upton and Aaron Jones of North Haven, CT, Chris Martin of Ithaca, NY, Elisabeth Martin of Ithaca, NY, Paul Cadenhead of Boston, MA, and Will Cadenhead of Hebron, CT; and his great grandson, Henry Jones. Fred played multiple instruments including the harmonica and accordion, was known for regularly wearing sharp hats, and was a Buick Man for the majority of his life. He often painted portraits of family members at his drafting table. He was a devoted member of multiple churches: St. Ambrose of Bridgeport, CT, Christ the Redeemer of Milford, CT – where he taught Catechism, St. Agnes of Milford, CT, and St Mary of Milford, CT.
UPDATE: THERE WILL BE NO MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL AT THIS TIME. Interment with Military Honors will be held privately at Orange Center Cemetery, Orange Center Road (Route 152), Orange, CT.
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