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Gerard R. "Gerry" Martel

Gerard Martel Obituary

Gerard R. "Gerry" Martel
of Fitchburg

FITCHBURG - Gerard R. "Gerry" Martel, 91, passed away Thursday, February 28, in his home surrounded by his family. Brandon Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A full obituary will follow.

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Published by Sentinel & Enterprise on Mar. 1, 2019.

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for Gerard Martel

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Dennis Godek

March 5, 2019

Gerry Martel was a good friend and mentor to me for over 45 years.
He taught me many things and without him I never would have had a chance to restore a Ferrari, Several Rolls Royce's, A Bugatti, and many other custom classic autos.
I knew him for his deep concern for my well being. I meet him when I was 15.
He was my rich Dad. (Robert Kiyosaki)
I was a fledgling drummer working for him at his music store in the 1960s.
Those were precious times. (Rock n Roll,)
The Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Hendricks, Doors, etc. Back when you could make a living playing music.
Without him I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do what I did.
Working at the music store. Moving everything he sold. TV's, stereos, pianos. etc.
I later restored many antique cars for him, and then did appraisals.
He taught me so much!
I was proud to be his man Friday for many years.
Those memories will always be alive in me!
Thanks for the good times old friend.
I love you! See you upstairs!

March 4, 2019

I can remember all the years I did weddings with him and drove the rolls I total injoy it he was a great guy that has always made a inpack on my life he well truly be miss god speed Gerry tell we mint again

Skip and Kathy Bourque

March 4, 2019

Kindly accept our heartfelt condolences and the sincere sympathy of our family to all of your family for your loss.
Almost every teenager who attended one the three rival highs schools that were close to downtown Fitchburg in the 1960s at least knew who Gerry The Music Man Martel was, and often visited The Fitchburg Music Store at Main and North Street after school and on weekends to either take music lessons or buy the latest bestselling LP vinyl album, and admire the one-of-a-kind classic vehicles he frequently parked in front of his store. Honestly, one-of-a-kind would best describe Gerry Martel.
I was one of those teenagers when I first met Gerry at a Fitchburg Sports Car Club meeting at the Tri-City Lake Front in the Whalom District. I was there with my older brother, who drove a French Renault Alpine Sunbeam two-seater convertible, so drivers could go over the route instructions with their navigators for a soon to be held road rally that Gerry had apparently helped plan and organize.
Gerry had brought a car magazine to show my brother with an article about the history of Sunbeam roadsters, which included pictures of ones that had been driven in movies by Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor, and also by Sean Connery in Dr. No, his first film in 1962 as James Bond.
When Gerry saw me admiring the 1966 Jaguar Xke Classic Coupe on the cover and heard me say something about how I would love to own one someday, he told me to keep the magazine and half-jokingly said to come see him first if I was truly interested in buying a classic car in the future.
In the early 1970s, I happened to meet Gerry again while he was walking down the sidewalk when I was exiting the Boulder Cafe with a friend of mine who had recently returned from a tour in Vietnam.
Gerry didn't remember me or our previously meeting; however, he had stopped to talk to us about the four-seater five speed 1969 Fiat Sports Coupe that we were getting into that my friend had bought in West Germany and had shipped back to the USA: How it had to be licensed in Spain by the Italian automaker so it could be sold in Germany, and it was one of the first vehicles equipped with both shoulder and seat belts etcetera.
When he learned that my friend had tried and failed to teach himself how to play the guitar while he was in Vietnam, Gerry invited him to stop by his store for a free lesson and then proceeded to tell us all about a classic 1950s car once owned by the King of Vietnam. RIP

Terry Saulnier

March 3, 2019

So sorry to learn of Gerry's passing. He was a very funny man, and my late husband Mark and I always enjoyed our lunches and wonderful friendship with him. Thoughts and prayers to Toddie and family.

Alan Girouard

March 3, 2019

RIP Gerry,my dearest sympathy to Toddy and the entire Martel family. To say this man was a legend is an understatement. This incredible man clearly left his mark in N.Central Ma. and beyond. Wheather it was through the music store or a car appraisal he might be doing for you. I began my musical career at the age of 14 working at Fitchburg Music Store for this generous man,as did many of us locally. What he provided for this musical community is truly immense. With such an enormous talent in the Fitchburg and Leominster area Gerry supplied us with the best musical instruments available. Equivalent to the Guitar Center as we know now. I am grateful for your friendship and guidance along the way. The memories will live on with all of us forever. Sincerey, the Maverick

Bill and linda Brodeur

March 3, 2019

Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to gerry and the family. We belonged to several clubs together and played golf and tennis at oak hill. I'm sure he will be on an Olympic team in the kingdom.

March 2, 2019

Rest in peace, Gerry. I apologize for the misspellings below. I have many great memories at Fitchbug Music in the mid to late 1960s.

March 2, 2019

Gerry
I apologize for the misspellings below. I have great memories at Fitchburg Music in the mid to late 60s. You were always helpful and never lost your cool with a bunch of thirteen year-olds.Rest in peace, my friend.

March 2, 2019

Rest in peace, Gerry. You were a true Fitchburg legend. Truly a one-of-a-kind. Many memories at Fitchburg Music in the misperceptions to late 69s.

March 2, 2019

My father did Gerry's advertisements for the Sentinel and later for the Montachusett Review. He was on Gerry's payroll, one of the many people fortunate enough to work for Gerry. Whether Gerry had an ad for my father or not he'd pay my father. my mom would say she wouldn't know what to do without the money Gerry paid him. Gerry's generosity was immense and made a huge difference for my family.

Of course they became friends. My father's weekly visit to the store became a true highlight for him. Gerry kept my father laughing for a long time.

I'm glad I had the chance to thank Gerry a few years ago.

RIP Gerry!

Richard Maynard (Jr.).

David Plunkett

March 1, 2019

I am so sorry for your loss he was a great guy and I always loved working for him

March 1, 2019

so sorry for your loss from joe and ruth piverotto

Tim Olevsky

March 1, 2019

I only knew Gerry for a few years, but when he learned I was a music teacher, he always made sure to ask how my students were doing. His huge personality and huge smile were infectious. Fitchburg has lost one of its greatest.

John Davis

March 1, 2019

Gerry helped me out a lot when I first moved the area. He was very generous. He has helped very many of the struggling musicians in the area. A lot of us worked for him at one time or another in both his music stores and piano shops. He will be missed.

Patty Swanson

March 1, 2019

Met him many years ago at his house....rode in his Rolls....Quite the man.. a fixture of Fitchburg....May he RIP..Sincere sympathy to his family......

March 1, 2019

Gerry was always helpful and generous to me decades ago when I was getting into entertainment as a disc jockey. Will always remember Fitchburg Music as a great place for buying records. Ronnie was a wonderful help as his girl Friday there. My best memory is when he let me look through his automobile books upstairs in the office. Is there anyone who didn't know Gerry Martel? God bless a Fitchbufg legend and deepest condolences to family members. Peter Proietti

William James Kittredge Sr.

March 1, 2019

It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet you on multiple occasions. May you now rest in peace.

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