Rodger Francis Martin
Loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather
Rodger Francis Martin, 90, a member of a well-known Lowell family, died Saturday, April 7th at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Katherine M. “Kay” (Bailey) Martin who died in 2004.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 8, 1927, a son of the late John A. and the late Julia (Rodgers) Martin, he attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School, he attended Lowell High School but like many of his contemporaries he had interrupted his high school time with service in the US Navy and was a proud veteran, he then graduated from Lowell High in the class of 1945. Eager to further his education, he then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees in Education from Fitchburg State College.
Before retiring, Mr. Martin was employed as the Director of Industrial Arts for Lowell public schools, where he worked for over 44 years.
Rodger was an honorary member of the Lowell YMCA for 50 years as well as a Lifetime member of the Lowell Lodge of Elks. He was also a former member of the Longmeadow Golf Club and Commissioner of the James S. Martin Golf tournament.
He played baseball at Lowell High School and baseball and soccer at Fitchburg State College. He was a tremendous handball player at the YMCA where he enjoyed the friendship and the competition of the other players. He was also an avid tennis player.
However his greatest joy was being with his family. He especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His grand-children and their friends called him “Bumpa”, a name that was initially given him by his first grand- child Katherine Whittaker Walsh. He enjoyed watching his children, grand-children and great grand-children in their activities whether it was baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse or football games, dance recitals or school plays. He always made an effort to get to the event.
Mr. Martin is survived by four children Kathleen Whittaker and her husband Forrest of Lake Forest, IL, Brian J. Martin and his wife Elise of Lowell, MA, Elizabeth McNamara and her husband Kerry of Osterville, MA and David P. Martin and his wife Melissa of Cary, NC; two daughters in law, Linda Martin of Tewksbury MA. and Lainey Martin of Lowell MA. He also had twenty-two grandchildren; and twenty-six great-grandchildren.
He was also the father of the late Rodger F. Martin, Jr., James S. Martin and Peter F. Martin and brother of the late John A. Martin, Jr. and Brenda Finnerty. He also had a special relationship with his nephew, Hugh Murphy of Gardner MA.
Friends may call at the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, 276 PAWTUCKET ST. at Fletcher from 4 to 7 P.M. on Friday April 13. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass to be celebrated on Saturday morning, April 14th at ST. MARGARET CHURCH in Lowell at 10 o’clock followed by burial at Lowell Cemetery. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Rodger F. Martin Lowell High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Lowell Community Foundation, 100 Merrimack St, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (978) 458-8768.
|
Obituaries Notices 
