Obituary of Philip R. Martin

Philip R. Martin, Sr., 72, of Carver, died unexpectedly on March 3rd. Born in Tennessee, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17 and retired in 1976 following a 21-year career in which, among other assignments, he was stationed at U.S. Naval facility Blackbushe, England, was a crewmember aboard the USS Intrepid, and was deployed to the Beirut Airport during the 1958 Lebanon Crisis. He attended Tarrant County Community College and then became an agent for Prudential Insurance. After moving from Texas to Carver in 1980, Phil worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Brockton, Massachusetts, retiring in 2001. Phil was extremely active in his community. He was a long-time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Knights of Columbus Council number 9822, serving twice as its Grand Knight, a 4th Degree member of the Father Robert Buchan Assembly, as well as a Massachusetts State District Deputy. He started the first Columbian Squires council in Carver. Phil was an avid reader of military history, especially naval and World War II history. He was a man of strong faith and beliefs, having converted to Catholicism following a religious pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia in 1989. He was active in the Pro Life movement and the fight against cancer. A true nature lover, he was an amateur photographer and an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. Phil was well-known for his sense of humor, endless stories and “wild” hunting and fishing tales. He was the son of Clarence and Ruth Martin. Phil is survived by and was “honored” to love and be loved by his wife of 35 years, Joanne (Hanberry) Martin. He is also survived by his four sons, Dr. Steven (wife Susan) of Sidcup, Kent, England, Philip II of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, James (wife Julia) of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Christopher of Carver. He is survived by brother Arthur and predeceased by brothers William and James. He was a proud granddad to Sam and Nick, and “Poppa Phil” to Ayden, as well as a fun-loving uncle and great uncle to numerous nephews and nieces. Calling Hours will be held on Monday March 8, 2010 at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Carver from 4-8pm. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home on Tuesday March 9, 2010 at 10am followed by a mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Carver at 11am. A reception with the family will follow the mass at the St Joseph’s Room at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Dana Farber Cancer Center.