David Lawrence Martin

David Lawrence Martin Athol – David Lawrence Martin, 83, formerly of Lee Street, died Friday, October 4, 2013 at Wingate of East Longmeadow.      David was born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, July 23, 1930, the son of John F. and Claire (Barry) Martin.  He grew up in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, graduating from Woodsville High School in 1948.   As a young man, David was a member of the New Hampshire National Guard for five years, serving one year on active duty.  David moved with his wife, Jean (Bishop) Martin, and their six young children to Orange in 1964, where he lived for many years prior to living in Athol from 1979 until 2008.        David owned and operated a sewing machine sales and service businesses for many years, previously owning PFAFF Sewing Machine in Rutland, VT, and Update Enterprises in Athol.  He also worked in St. Johnsbury, VT as a home improvement contractor and was a long-time car salesman for dealers in Athol, Gardner and Greenfield.    David also worked for Servomation Corporation at the former Union Twist Drill (UTD) in Athol.  He continued to repair all models of sewing machines in the Athol-Orange area until he moved to the Springfield area in 2008.  From his long-time sewing machine repair and service, David enjoyed meeting many people from the Athol-Orange area and using his life-long skills to provide a unique and valued service to his customers (his neighbors).  David appreciated his customers and they appreciated him and the consistent, affordable service he provided.  David enjoyed spending time with his large family.  He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play on their respective high school and college sports teams.  David was a fan of women’s basketball, especially, of the WNBA and the UConn  Huskies.   He enjoyed walking his two Shetland “Sheltie” Sheepdogs, “Lucky” and “Teddy”.  David will be remembered especially for his kind and generous nature, his compassion, and his desire to help others.        David is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Marilyn (Bishop) Martin; two sons, William Martin and his wife Mary of East Longmeadow, and Richard Martin and his wife Suzanne of Athol; three daughters, Cynthia Martin and her husband Zhaoyu Wan of Skokie, IL, Cheryl Martin and her life companion Janice of Westfield, and Tamara “Tammy” Martin and her life companion Luisa of Arlington, VA; and daughter-in-law Lynn Martin of Orange.  David is also survived by six grandchildren, Matthew Martin of Millbury, Shanna (Martin) Moraga of Worcester, Christopher Martin of Owings Mills, MD, Sarah (Martin) Carter of Windham, ME, and Leontyne and Isaac Wan, both of Skokie, IL.  He also is survived by a brother Thomas Barry Martin of Maine; sister-in-laws Helly Martin of Hudson, NH and Barbara (Bishop) White of Lisbon, NH and several nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his son Robert Steven Martin, in 2013 and by a brother and a sister.      A  memorial service will be held  Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with family members and the Rev. Fr. Krzysztof Korcz, pastor of Our Lady Immaculate Church officiating.  There are no calling hours.   In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in David’s name be made to:  the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA  01701-9376 or www.cancer.org(https://donate.cancer.org/index.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to:  www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });