Bradford "Brad" N. Martin

Yarmouth- Bradford "Brad" N. Martin died April 23, 2015 at Brentwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Yarmouth. He was born February 1, 1928 in Westbrook, the eldest son of Alfred and Bertha Libby Martin. He spent his youth on the family farm.

At age 16, he left school and lied about his age to enter the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. He was a gunner’s mate during the war and continued in the service for eleven years. He married Mary E. Martin on June 7, 1948. After the Merchant Marine, he joined the Portland Fire Department, retiring in 1975 after twenty years of service. He owned Mutt and Jeff’s convenience store in South Portland for several years and was a driver for Brinks Armored Car Service, primarily in Down East Maine. He worked various odd jobs in his later life, including stints at Ace Hardware in Scarborough and the Big Twenty bowling lanes in Scarborough, where he also was an avid bowler with a team comprising friends and family. He was a strong darts competitor and enjoyed many years of team competition with his sons, his daughter Cathy, and his nephew Wayne Martin, Jr.

Brad was a member of the Sportsmen Alliance of Maine and a life member of the NRA. Brad was an avid hunter and fisherman before aches and pains associated with aging got the better of him. He habitually went to his camp with sons and grandsons during deer season for the hunt.

His wife predeceased him in 2012. He is survived by his sons Bradford Neal Martin II (and wife Laura) of Portland, Brian W. Martin (and wife Heidi), of Scarborough, Blane J. Martin (and wife Madora) of Standish, Blair F. Martin (and partner Patti), of Standish and his daughters Cynthia J. McDougall (and husband Warner Price), of Harpswell, Cathleen M. Larsen (and husband Peter), of Portland and Shirlene D. Keefe (and husband Lyle) of Ocala, Florida. He is also survived by His brother Wayne Martin (and partner Jeannette) of Westbrook and his sister Dolores Sherwood of Topsham. His sisters Rita Farris and Donna Gray predeceased him. He is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces, great nephews, and great-nieces. 

The family will host a Celebration of Life on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Portland Eagles on St. John’s Street Portland. 

There will not be a memorial service, and interment at Evergreen Cemetery will be private.  

The family asks that donations be made in Brad’s memory to:

Portland Fire Department Children’s Burn Foundation

by check sent to the Central Fire Station

380 Congress Street Portland, ME 04101

or online at www.maineburnsurvivors.org