Donald E. Martin, 82
SHEFFIELD, Mass. â€' Donald E. Martin, 82, of Water Farm Road died late Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 19, 2009, of a heart attack.
Born in Barkhamsted, Conn., on April 29, 1927, son of Clarence and Ethel Stanard Martin, he was a lifelong resident of Sheffield.
An Army veteran, he served in the military government in Korea in 1946 and attained the rank of staff sergeant.
A longtime local excavator, Mr. Martin first worked for R.P. Straleau, Barrett Excavation and then started his own business, Martin Excavating, which he operated with his son, Christopher E. Martin, for 35 years. His son continues the business. He also was Sheffield's street superintendent in the 1960s and was active in the volunteer Fire Department for many years.
He and his wife, the former Ruthe I. Marschat, were married on Nov. 29, 1947.
Besides his wife and son, of Sheffield, he leaves two daughters, Barbara E. Martin of Mout Laurel, N.J., and Anne Martin of Ridgewood, N.J.; a sister, Mildred Cortesi of Westfield; a brother Clarence Martin Jr. of Sheffield, and three grandchildren, Sarah C. Meeres, Patrick T. Meeres and Katharine B. Montgomery.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' Funeral services celebrating the life of Mr. Martin will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 11:30 a.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Burial with military honors will follow in Sheffield Center Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Renal Dialysis Unit at BMC or Fairview Dialysis Center through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.