North Grafton – John F. Martin, 91, of North Grafton, formerly of Westborough, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Ann M. (Moran) Martin, to whom he was married for 60 years.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Harry and Rozena (Kreim) Martin. He was educated in Cleveland and was a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. During WWII, he served with the Merchant Marines where he traveled throughout the world. He also graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Following his service with the Merchant Marines, he became an officer with the U.S. Navy Reserves attaining the rank of Lieutenant.
John was employed as a product engineer for Bay State Abrasives prior to his retirement. He was a communicant of St. Luke the Evangelist Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and taught CCD. He coached Little League in Westborough and was a member of the Sodality of Our Lady at Holy Cross College and had taken three trips to Medjugorje. He was a volunteer at the Westborough Food Pantry and at UMass Medical Center. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, bread making, reading and golf.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Therese A. Melden and her husband Kurt of Manchester, James A. Martin of New Haven, Conn., Marie C. McDonald and her husband Peter of Sutton, John A. Martin and his wife Lisa of Sutton, and Angela M. Martin and her husband Darrell DeTour of Lebanon, Maine; four grandchildren, Emily Melden and her husband Samoel Suarez, Anne Melden, Travis Martin and Erin Martin; and one sister, Mary Striegl of Ohio. John was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Stovicek, and brothers-in-law, Richard Stovicek and Andrew Striegl.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the David A. Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Monday, Oct. 23, from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Marian Helpers at www.marian.org.
