Lt. Peter James Robert Martin Esq.

Lt. Peter James Robert Martin Esq., arrived in this world March 7th, 1940, and passed peacefully into the next, October 25th, 2024. Peter James Robert Martin was born to Peter Martin and Rosemarie (Cline). Raised in St Albans, Long Island and Jamacia Queens, NY. Peter came to Franklin County, VT. in 1969 along with his first wife and child, Pamela (Mesick) and Thomas P. Martin, later adding daughter Deidre, to the family. Peter developed a great love for the countryside and farming communities during summer visits spent on his beloved grandfather's family farm in Sullivan County, NY. Settling in Vermont was a dream come true.
Peter attended catholic schools from elementary through law school, graduating from Fordham Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. His scholastic career was interrupted during the years 1961-1964 when he volunteered for the army and served as a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division, in honor of the many paratrooper heroes of World War II.
Passing the Vermont Bar in 1969, Peter began his career as a country lawyer managing the various law needs of his community with honesty, candor, respect and of course, his unerring wit. Possessing an uncanny ability to connect with people through humor, Peter developed deep and long lasting relationships through a belief in the adages that "laughter is the best medicine" and "if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?" Or was it that mischievous Irish glint in his eye that won people over? Peter retired in 2023, after a diagnosis of cancer, ending his career of 54 years.
During those years, Peter had the honor of working with a great many esteemed colleagues and members of the court as with his many clients, several for whom he represented successive generations. Peter shared the office with his longtime colleague of 35 years, Don Pellman, for whom he had great regard. Don and his family were as Peter's extended family.
Peter met and later married the love of his life, Evelyn Palardy, with whom he spent 33 short years. They split their time between their sugarbush in Fairfield, their boat on the lake and each other's embrace at home. The times they shared on the lake with friends and family were particularly special, often opening the boating season renting a slip on the waterfront during the Burlington Jazz Festival.
Peter is survived by his wife, Evelyn Martin, their son Josip Martin, his wife Maria Paula Arboleda Martin, and their children Bruce and Celine. Son, Thomas P. Martin, his wife Cindy and their son Colin of Alburquerque N.M., His McCaughly grandchildren, Caitlin, Alex, Thomas, Edward, and Jacob all of North Carolina. His special Martin cousins, James of Delaware, Robert of Connecticut, Thomas (Rosemarie) of Long Island, Ann Marie Brull (John) of Rockville Center, Joseph Martin of NY, and Marilyn Evans of Florida.
Peter was predeceased by his parents and grandparents, daughter Diedre McCaughly, his in-laws Joseph and Rejane Palardy, beloved brother-in-law Guy Palardy, and with great sadness, grandson Thomas P. Martin J.R.
The family cannot express enough gratitude to the incredibly capable and caring hospice staff at VNA Southwest – Rutland (formerly Franklin County Home Health). A profession of people providing exceptional support through this time of transition and loss.
Thanks also to the extraordinary group of friends present at Peter's time of passing, toasting him as he left his longtime home and who along with A.W Rich Funeral services of Fairfax orchestrated a dignified and respectful send-off. "Tapps" was played for Peter's service to his country, and Bob Marley's "One Love" reflecting his spirit, as he was carried down Main St. Saint Albans.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Albans on November 18th at 11:00am at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 246 Lake St., followed by a Celebration of Life at Jeff's Maine Seafood, 65 North Main. Please join us and share those "Peter Martin" stories we all have.
In Lieu of flowers please consider donations to the VNA, Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, St Jude's Children Hospital, your PBS station, or simply engage in some random acts of kindness. Please visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.