Roland Martin

WATERVILLE -- Roland Martin, 74, passed away on Nov. 25, 2010, at Lakewood Continuing Care in Waterville after suffering from Alzheimer's for more than 10 years.

He was born in Fort Kent on April 8, 1936, the son of Marc and Emily (Dubois) Martin of Fort Kent.

He graduated from Fort Kent Community High School in 1954, attended Husson College in Bangor and received an Associates Degree in Business Administration in 1956, then proceeded to join his father in the family business of Frank Martin Sons, an equipment business.

After losing his father and two brothers in an airplane crash in 1967, his mission was to make aviation safer in the area. He joined with other aviation enthusiasts and obtained funds to construct a regional airport. In 1971, the Northern Aroostook Regional Airport was created with seven local towns participating. Funds were obtained for the airport and a year later, a terminal hangar in the town of Frenchville, which was centrally located. With the love of aviation always on his mind, he became the first chairman of the Northern Aroostook Regional Airport Authority. A year later he became its first fixed base operator. He and his wife were in the aviation business for 30 years, offering flight training, chartered flights, daily commuter service and aircraft maintenance. He loved and respected aviation.

Roland was the first chairman of Maine School Administration District 27 in Fort Kent, a Northern Maine Medical Trustee, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Rotary Club, and a member of the Airline Owners and Pilots Association for 30 years. He was a member of the Maine Army National Guard for 34 years and retired as a command sergeant major for the state of Maine. He was an avid golfer and skier.

He was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2002 and shortly after, the Flights Standards District Office of Portland awarded him the Golden Eagle Award for his lifetime leadership, dedication and contributions to Aviation in Maine.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Desjardins Martin; daughter, Kathy Corey and husband Jeff of Winslow, their children Emily, Erin and Joe; daughter, Jan Stanley of Franklin Tennessee and her sons, Chris and Connor; daughter Paula Martin and fiance Zane Zwemke of Aurora Colo.; daughter, Rebecca Leonard and her children, Jamie, Jessica and Wesley Adams; daughter Pam Emond and her husband, John of Portland, her daughter Adrienne Cordes.

He was predeceased by his father, Marc; brother, Nelson and brother Rudy on July 19, 1967 in Wallagrass, Maine. He was also predeceased by his mother, Emily, in October of 2004 in Fort Kent. He is survived by his sisters and their husbands, Bern and Marc Michaud of Fort Kent and Florida; Vi and Hobie Kemp of Palmyra and Florida. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Roland's family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Lakewood, Moonlight Bay for their devotion, compassion, understanding, care and love they had for Roland. As he would say, "You're a good man, and I like you."

Donations in Roland's memory may be made to Lakewood Nursing Home, Moonlight Bay Activities or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Calling hours will be held at the Veilleux Funeral Home in Waterville, Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John's Church in Winslow on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. followed by a committal in the Maine Veterans Memorial Chapel, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta.