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John Martins Obituary
After serving in the U.S. Airforce, John completed his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the University of Connecticut, all while raising a family. He managed an Arctic Sonar Program as a civilian engineer with the U.S. Navy, including a historic triple submarine-surfacing at the North Pole. As a significant highlight of his career, John served as the science advisor to the admiral of the Atlantic Submarine Force. John was known for his voracious curiosity that extended beyond his career as an engineer. His loving wife of 58 years, Estella, notes that he is still the only person she has ever met that would read an encyclopedia for fun. John was even known to entertain with his impromptu scientific demonstrations at social gatherings.
In his retirement, John moved from East Lyme, to live at the Sea Ranch Club of Boca Raton, Fla. There, he served as a devoted Board Director for several years. John enjoyed cooking and eating delicious food with his family, growing fruits and vegetables on his balcony, traveling with his beautiful and loving wife, and photographing his grandchildren's various sporting and educational events.
John is survived by his wife Estella; daughter Karen (husband Anthony); son John Kenneth (wife Karen Ann); grandsons, John Benjamin, Michael, and Christian; granddaughters, Kelly and Julia; and brother Ray (wife Linda). He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Courville. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, an aunt Irene Hurley, and countless friends were all special to John.
Memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at St. Agnes Church, Niantic. Celebration of Life will follow the mass. Please get in touch with a member of the family for more details.
Please donate in John's name to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in place of any gifts or flowers. The link to donate is http://givenow.lls.org/give/342076/#!/donation/checkout
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Martins
3 Entries
John (Alan) MacDonald
December 29, 2024
John was a dear friend thru many of my childhood years. His mother knew I had a difficult situation with my home life and she treated me like one of her own. As I was a career navy man I ran into John a few times while I was assigned to submarine squadrons ( John was involved with submarine acoustics at the time. ). The Martins were a wonderful kind hearted family. I recently talked with John´s brother Ray and I regret not having located John while he was still with us.
John A MacDonald
US NAVY RETIRED
NUSC Co-worker
November 25, 2021
My condolences to the Martins family. I am saddened by learning of his passing. I was a young engineer working with John at NUSC, New London in the 1980's. I learned so much from him and the opportunities he provided me. Those were exciting times. He had such great enthusiasm for the projects we worked on. God bless.
Gary and Joanne Stebbins
October 4, 2021
We would like to express our sincere condolences to the Martins family. We were shocked to learn of John´s passing. He was a great man.
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