William Conrad Martin

William C. Martin (“Will”), 85, of Gardner, passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA on Sunday, December 31, 2023, after sharing farewells with his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jacqueline (Lagacé) Martin whom he wed on September 12, 1959, in Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick, Canada, as well as by his four children, Michael Martin and his wife Ann-Marie of Gardner, Brigitte (Martin) Grenier of Westminster, Richard Martin of Gardner, and Lisa Martin-Forsyth of Longmeadow, and by his five grandchildren, David Martin, James Grenier, Michael Martin, Amy Grenier, and William Forsyth. Born in Rivière-Verte, New Brunswick, Canada on April 21, 1938, he was the youngest son born of the late Trèfle and Sophie (Dupéré) Martin and grew up in Saint-Basile, New Brunswick, Canada. He is pre-deceased by his siblings Lizzie-Anne, Onil, Hubald, Dorena, Rose, Ronald, Anita, Robert, and Fernande, as well as by his son-in-law, David P. Grenier.

In early 1965, he immigrated to Gardner where he began working as a welder for Simplex Time Recorder until his retirement from Simplex/Tyco 38-years later. Known as “Bill” at work, he was seldom offered an overtime hour that he did not take. The most important thing to him always however was the well-being of his family. An adept athlete he enjoyed several sports with them such as, skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, bicycling, ice hockey and tennis. But loading his wife and children into the family vehicle for a Sunday drive and a meal out or driving 500-mile trips to vacation with friends and family in Canada were at the top of his list of favorite things to do. He also loved math, reading, history, comedies, and any activity that he could enjoy outdoors in the fresh air. He really shined during the Christmas season, winning awards from The Gardner News for his hand-crafted decorations that he placed on the exterior of the family home on Leo Drive, where he also always kept a large vegetable garden with the best tomatoes around during the summer. He took pleasure in 50s, 60s and country music and he was even seen singing and dancing with his wife at a holiday party just days before his passing. But his talent and passion for anything automotive was lifelong, and he also never met a home improvement project that he could not successfully tackle and to a level of absolute perfection.

He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a man of strong faith as a lifelong Catholic. He was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish in Gardner since moving to the United States, never missing weekly mass at Holy Rosary Church. He radiated a pure goodness and humility but did so with absolute confidence in himself and in what he could accomplish. He will be missed by all that knew him throughout his lifetime, and all are better for having known him.

The family has requested private services.

Memorial Contributions may be made in the name of William C. Martin to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.