Donald “Dino” E. Martin, 86, a resident of Bay Square Yarmouth, Maine, died peacefully on November 10, 2016.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 8, 1930, the son of Thomas and Agnes Martin, Donald attended South Boston High School. He was an army veteran of the Korean War and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Don and his wife, Helen, moved to Franklin, Mass. in 1958, where he pursued a 42-yr career at Boston Edison as a lineman and Construction Inspector, as well as Chief Steward at UWUA local 329. He attended the University of Massachusetts with an advanced degree in Labor Affairs.
Beloved husband to the late Helen (Blake) Martin, Don is survived by his son, Donald Jr. and his wife Maryann of Quincy, Mass, daughter Mary Martin Plummer of Wells, Maine, son Ken of Santa Monica, Calif, son Timothy of Boston, Mass, daughter Kathie Dioli and her husband, Paul of Yarmouth, Maine. Nine grand-children, Michael, Leanne, Courtney, Colleen, Rachael, Eryn, Caila, Brendan, Timothy Jr.; great grand-children Nyxanna, Blake and Declan. Beloved brother to Maureen Blake of Bedford, NH and Irene McCarthy of Stoneham, MA. Pre-deceased by brothers Thomas and Robert and sister Donna Silva.
During his life in Franklin, Don wore many hats, including that of Little League coach, hockey coach, hockey referee, Cub Scout master, and a huge animal lover, with a special affection for dogs, cats, and birds.
He will always be remembered as someone who celebrated the diversity of all people and fought for the underdog. Around town, he was known for his beautiful Irish tenor voice, spending numerous years with the local barbershop quartet. Many a yodel and country tune was heard bellowing from the Martin household.
He will be sorely missed by the countless nieces and nephews and the many friends he made in his final years at Bay Square Yarmouth.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral mass Thursday November 17th at 9am at St. Mary’s Church, 1 Church Square, Franklin, MA. Burial to follow at The Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Donald’s favorite charities, St. Jude https://www.stjude.org and Warrior Dog Foundation http://warriordogfoundation.org/about/. Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com)