Caleb Haven Martin, 19, died on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Cleveland Clinic in Mayfield Heights, OH, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his parents and siblings. Caleb was the cherished third son of William H. and Katherine (Thompson) Martin.
Caleb was born on January 14, 1999, in Framingham, MA. He spent the first 8 years of his life in Franklin, MA and attended the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School there. In 2008, Caleb moved with his family to Dakar, Senegal, where he lived until his graduation from Dakar Academy in June, 2017. While a student at Dakar Academy, Caleb was a member of the varsity soccer and basketball teams, and served as president of his class in his junior and senior years. He was a freshman at UMass Amherst, where he was enrolled in the Honors College and the Isenberg School of Management, pursuing a career in accounting. He was a part of the Navs @ UMass, a Christian student ministry group.
Caleb enjoyed being goalkeeper on his high school soccer team, running, singing, participating in outreach events, watching Lost and Parks and Rec, playing FIFA and NFL Street, eating cheeseburgers and drinking iced coffee, and hanging with his friends. He dearly loved Dakar Academy and enjoyed living in Senegal. He was a devoted fan of the Virginia Tech Hokies (his father’s alma mater) and the New England Patriots – he never missed a game, even if he had to stay up until 2:00 in the morning to watch it.
He was known for his smile that could light up a room, his kindness to everyone, especially the unnoticed, his desire to do things excellently, and his goofy sense of humor.
He was a quiet leader, a devoted brother, a precious son, and most importantly, a follower of Jesus. His faith defined him, and we rest in the knowledge that he is now safe in the arms of his King.
Along with his parents, Caleb is survived by his siblings, Will, Sam and Anna Martin; maternal grandfather, Allen C. Thompson; his aunts and uncles, Rocky and Marilyn Martin, Dr. Charley and Holly Martin, Kay and Tom Grott, Nancy and Jim Thompson, Janice Thompson and Jeremy Jones, Barbara and David Hursh, and Wendi and Pat Stetson; and cousins Katherine Martin, Valerie Martin, Connie Peacock, Brooke McIntyre, Kelley Ryan, Whitney Mulder, Barrett Martin, Alex Martin, Sarah Mack, Kate Smith, Amariah Thompson, Bee Rabii, Allen Hursh, Daniel Hursh, Jack Hursh, Elise Stetson and Haven Stetson. Caleb was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Lilburn Gayle Martin and Katherine Smythe, and his maternal grandmother, Mary Ludlum Thompson.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on Sunday, March 25 at the Charles F. Oteri and Son Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street, Franklin from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
His funeral service will be held on Monday, March 26 at 10:00 AM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 63 Rockwood Road, Norfolk, MA. Rev. Dr. Mike McGarry will officiate. A private family burial will follow at Union Street Cemetery, Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Caleb may be made to Caleb’s memorial fund on YouCaring.com (https://www.youcaring.com/calebmartin-1137421) or to the Navs @ UMass (https://donations.navigators.org/SpecialPages/DonorMaster/staffDonation?id=A178335).
