Published in the October 29, 2015 edition.
WAKEFIELD — William R. “Bill” Martin, 69, passed away at Lahey Hospital in Burlington on Oct. 26.
Bill was born and raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1964.
Mr. Martin was a longtime resident of Melrose and has lived in Wakefield the past 32 years. He later decided to continue his education and graduated from Springfield College in 1989. Bill followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the police force. He started out in Wakefield and then as a police officer in Melrose for 28 years, retiring in 2001.
Mr. Martin loved and was most proud of being the D.A.R.E Officer for many years in Melrose, helping numerous children in the Melrose community.
Bill loved all aspects of baseball; watching, playing, managing, coaching and umpiring for many years. He coached many years for Melrose Babe Ruth, as well as managing the Senior Babe Ruth 16-18 year old travel team. Mr. Martin played fast pitch softball for the Hobo’s of Stoneham, the Nelson Bakery and the CDI Melrose Mets.
He also played slow pitch softball with the Melrose Elks, Melrose Police Softball Team, the Stoneham Police Softball Team and the Chelsea Police Softball Team. Bill was also an avid golfer and a 6 handicap player: he was a member of the Thomson Country Club in North Reading; Perry Hollow in New Hampshire, where he was senior club champion, and also enjoyed playing at Mount Hood Golf Course in Melrose.
He was a member of the Melrose Elks, the Wakefield Elks and the Knights of Columbus in Melrose. Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife Norma to Canada, Oregon, Mexico and especially liked taking trips to Florida to golf.
Mr. Martin was the beloved husband of Norma J. (Callis) Martin. He was the caring father of Bethany L. Martin of South Carolina. He was the devoted brother of Martha J. Fantasia and her husband John of Farmington, N.H. and the late Warren F. Martin. He was the loving son of the late Joseph “Pesty” and Mary “Kishie” (Daniels) Martin. He was the cherished uncle of Daniel J. “DJ” Fantasia and Maryann Anderson. He was the cherished great uncle of Sandra, Samantha and Zachary Fantasia and Jonathan “JD” and Nathan Anderson. He was the loving Godfather of Derek Bowers. He will also be missed by the extended family he married into.
Friends and family may gather at Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose, on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private.
To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
