Martin Masters

Lebanon - In his own words, Martin Masters has joined the passing parade, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013.

Born May 14, 1924, in Norwich, son of Gustave and Rose Masters, he spent most of his life on the family farm in Lebanon. He attended a one-room schoolhouse that served grades one through eight. He graduated from Lyman Memorial High School in Lebanon in June of 1942.

He entered Willimantic State Teachers College beginning in 1942. He was active on the literary magazine and played football. In 1945, Masters transferred to the University of Connecticut. He served on the literary magazine and worked on the student newspaper, The Connecticut Campus. He received the Walter E. Stemmons Award for outstanding journalism for his work on the Campus.

Following graduation, Masters worked for a series of newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, the Hartford Times, and the New York World-Telegram & Sun. He was also a contributor to the New York Times. He said he felt most at home in the city room of a newspaper, with the teletype machines and typewriters clickety-clacking away in the background.

He worked for the General Dynamics Corp., Electric Boat Division, and was present for the keel laying of the USS Nautilus, the first atomic-powered submarine. President Harry Truman presided at the keel laying, and following the ceremony, gave a piano recital for the press corps in the mess hall. While at Electric Boat, Masters was befriended by Adm. Hyman Rickover. He recalled getting a phone call from the admiral at 3 a.m., asking him to pick up a loaf of Russian pumpernickel bread from the Colchester Bakery and bring it down to the docks.

Masters also worked in public relations, serving as PR director for Connecticut College and the American Dance Festival. While working at Connecticut College, he invited Gov. Abe Ribicoff to speak at the college. Ribicoff called and asked Masters to meet him at the Groton Airport at two o'clock. Driving back to Connecticut College, Ribicoff put his arm on Masters' shoulder, saying, "I plan to run for the U.S. Senate, and I'd like you to work on my campaign." Masters gladly accepted.

On the afternoon of the convention at the Bushnell, Masters picked up a copy of the Hartford Times. The banner headline on page one claimed "RIBICOFF FAVORED FOR SENATE RACE." Masters borrowed a station wagon and rushed down to the Times office. He grabbed several bundles of the newspaper and returned to the Bushnell, where he distributed copies to the delegates. They unanimously voted to nominate Ribicoff, and opponents swore revenge on Masters.

One Sunday morning, Masters received a phone call from John Bailey, chairman of the Democratic State Committee. Bailey said, "Marty, I'd like you to meet me and Abe (Ribicoff) at the Hotel Bond this afternoon at two o'clock." Masters accepted , and at two o'clock that afternoon, went up to the second floor of the Bond. Bailey and Ribicoff were there, with a slim young man in a blue sweater who stood at a window overlooking Bushnell Park and the State Capitol. Ribicoff took Masters by the arm and led him over to the window. "Marty," he said, "I would like you to meet Jack Kennedy, the next president of the United States."

Masters also worked with Connecticut Gov. Ella Grasso on her campaign. He learned that Grasso liked Scottish shortbread, so on his return trip from visits to Martha's Vineyard, Masters would pick up some Scottish shortbread at a bakery there. On Monday morning, Masters would meet with Grasso and have shortbread and tea with her.

Masters served two terms as first selectman and chief of police for the Town of Lebanon and a term in the Connecticut General Assembly. He also served with the Fourth Battalion, Connecticut State Guard, as corporal and company clerk.

Masters traveled extensively in Mexico, India, Europe, the British Virgin Islands, and Cuba. He was in Cuba chasing Hemingway when Castro and his army came down from the hills and took Havana.

Masters is predeceased by a sister, Brenda Alice Masters.

He leaves behind a daughter, Joan T. Masters and son-in-law, Paul F. Butcher Jr. of Norwich; he also leaves a son, Eliot T. Masters and daughter-in-law, Sharon Bisnar-Masters, of Silver Spring, Md., as well as two beloved grandsons, Isaiah Masters of Kenya and Orion Masters, also of Silver Spring.

Funeral services are private. Masters asked that his remains be cremated and his ashes spread in his garden.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com.