Sylvester H. Martin

SOUTH YARMOUTH — Sylvester H. "Vestie" Martin 77, of South Yarmouth and New Port Richey, Fla., formerly of Natick. died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, surrounded by his family at the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was the loving husband of Barbara J. (Hiscock) Martin for 54 years.

Born on Nov. 1, 1929, in Natick, he was a son of the late Sylvester E. "Sully" Martin and Ellen (Murtagh) Martin . A resident of Natick for 65 years, he had made his home in South Yarmouth for the past 13 years. A graduate of Natick High School, class of 1948, he served with the Army during the Korean War. Mr. Martin worked for the Natick Paperboard Company for 40 years, before retiring in 1994.

His hobbies included gardening, fixing everything, jigsaw puzzles and bicycle riding. He also had an active social life, enjoying the company of many friends in Florida. He also enjoyed summers on Cape Cod, spending time with his children, grandchildren, family and friends. He especially enjoyed attending the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox games with his late brother-in-law, Joseph Rego. Mr. Martin was an avid fan of all New England sports teams and loved seeing the Red Sox win two world championships and the Patriots win three Super Bowls.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Richard Martin and his wife, Sue, of Milford, David Martin and his wife, Carol, of Millis, Rob Martin and his wife, Jacki, of Worcester; one daughter; Carole McAuliffe and her husband, Bill, of Abington; two sisters, Phyllis Rego of Dennisport and Anna Dwyer of Whitinsville; eight grandchildren, Andrew and Jeffrey Martin of Millis; Josh, Jake, Jared and Jewel McAuliffe of Abington; and Laci and Casey Martin of Worcester. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Christina Casali of Worcester; Andrea and Jonathan O'Dell of Milford and his step great-grandchild, Natalie O'Dell. He was the brother of the late John Martin and James Martin.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Linus Church, 119 Hartford St., Natick on Saturday at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Natick. There will be no funeral home calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth, PO Box 11, Yarmouthport MA 02675, or to the Jimmy Fund c/o Dan Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226

Arrangements by John Everett & Sons Funeral Home (www.everettfuneral.com) 4 Park St., at Natick Common.