Ludger J. Martin

Ludger J. (Lou) Martin, 90 SANFORD -- Ludger J. (Lou) Martin, 90, of Sanford, passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, while surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness. Lou was born Sept. 7, 1919, in Van Buren, the son of Joseph Martin and Sarah Goguin Martin and was one of 18 children. Lou was raised and educated in Van Buren, however, at 16 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and ventured to Cheyenne, Wyoming and rode bareback catching jackrabbits and then back to Maine for more adventures. He exaggerated his age to get into the Marines and he was the proudest Marine. His tour of duty included Guadalcanal during WWII. While on leave he attended his sister Theresa's wedding in Sanford and there he met the love of his life, Lucille Brochu. They were married for 63 years. Their latter years together brought each other great joy; she was his sweet nurse, cook and steadfast snack preparer. Lou was a communicant of St. Thér�se of Lisieux Parish. Lou earned his high school diploma in 1973 and attended classes at UNH majoring in Gerontology. Lou's work resume ranged from Singer Sewing Machine salesman where he learned a trade that brought him much enjoyment, especially to his two daughters and to his final position as Head Dispatcher at the Sanford Police Dept. Lou's interests through the years were as varied including bodybuilding and his persona 'Lou the Clown,' where he could be seen in Sanford's 4th of July parades in the 1980s along with his grandchildren. Lou was an avid golfer. He was also a member of the VFW Post 9935 and a 4th degree member and color guard of the Knights of Columbus. Lou is survived by his loving wife Lucille; his son Richard of El Segundo, Calif., two daughters, Brenda Mathieu of Westbrook, Paula Simpson and husband Richard of Sanford; two brothers, Lionel and Peter of Van Buren, two sisters, Theresa Brochu of Bradington, Fla., and Celene Cochenour of Baltimore, Md.; five grandchildren, Kim Mathieu, Jayson Mathieu, Bridget Martin, Richard Simpson III and Erica Simpson; and three great-grandchildren, Chloe Mathieu, Jolie Simpson and Richard Simpson IV. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Oct. 2, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., in Sanford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Thér�se of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com. Ludger J. (Lou) Martin