William J. Martines

William J. Martines of Bedford, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sept. 7, 2010. He has suffered from Emphysema for many years. Bill, or Willie as his close friends and family referred to him, moved to Bedford when he was six months old and remained here for the rest of his life. He loved this town and shared many happy memories with his children and grand-children on growing up in the olden days in Bedford. He owned several properties in Bedford and was a businessman here for over 65 years, starting with the Blue Ribbon Farm Dairy in the 1940s. In 1957, he purchased five school buses and this is when Bedford Charter Service was established; it is still operating today with a fleet of over 40 buses and run by his son, John. Mr. Martines served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on a patrol craft (sub-chaser) from New York to Panama and back on convoy duty. He was an avid Red Sox fan and Patriots fan. He also enjoyed the many family gatherings at his home in Bedford and lakefront home on Lake Winnisquam in Laconia, NH. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Naomi (Spell); his children, Marilyn Cronin and John Martines of Bedford, Tina Doney and her husband Brain of Westford; daughter-in-law Donna Martines of Bedford; sisters, Mary Lentine and Alice Sullivan of Woburn and his brother Frank Martines and his wife Bette of Chelmsford; along with six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son, William Jr., his daughter Susan Margaret, and son-in-law Paul Cronin. Funeral services were held on Sept. 10, 2010 in Shawsheen Funeral Home in Bedford; burial was in Shawsheen Cemetery, Bedford.