GILFORD – William Joseph Martel, Jr., 91, passed away at Lakes Region General Hospital during the morning hours of Friday, February 12, 2016 in the presence of his immediate family. A longtime resident of Gilford, Mr. Martel was a warm-hearted individual who was well-known to New Hampshire fishermen and women. He owned and operated Martel’s Bait Shop for many years, a Laconia landmark which was established in 1917, and continued working at the shop after the business was sold to Red Roberts/Patsy Scribner, and later to Ralph Langevin, until the young age of 85. He was an experienced fishing guide on Lake Winnisquam and was also featured as one of 15 master anglers of Lake Winnipesaukee in the book, Angling in the Smile of the Great Spirit, authored by Dr. Harold C. Lyon, Jr. Besides being an avid fisherman, Mr. Martel enjoyed the sport of deer hunting and in his later years often reminisced about the deer he and other family members bagged while hunting the woods of Center Harbor. Mr. Martel also liked to work around the house and took great pride in caring for his yard and flower gardens. However, he was most at peace when relaxing with family at their summer camp in Moultonborough.
Mr. Martel was born in Laconia on September 30, 1924, the son of the late William J. and Flora (Levesque) Martel, Sr. and was a faith-filled man devoted to family, community, and country. He was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Laconia Council #428. During World War II Mr. Martel served in the European Theater as an Army combat engineer and French interpreter for his Company, landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy approximately three weeks after D-Day. After returning home from the war Mr. Martel met the love of his life, Helen Louise Blackey, with whom he had 64 wonderful years of marriage until her death in November of 2014. Together, with his father-in-law and brother-in-law, Mr. Martel built their home in Gilford, where they raised their children.
Survivors include three daughters, Deborah Messineo and her husband, Peter, of Concord; Diane Marchek and her husband, Kelly, of Meredith; and Donna Somma and her husband, Joe, of Gilford; eight grandchildren, Patrick Marchek and his wife, Anna, of Boston, MA; Jeffrey Boynton and his wife, Gabby, of Brockton, MA; William Marchek of Portland, OR; Jonathan Boynton of Tilton; Julianne (Messineo) Ortiz and her husband, Hernan, of Harrisburg, PA; Kayla Marchek of Portland, OR; Casey Marchek of Meredith; Josh Somma of Philadelphia, PA; and one great-grandchild, Charlie Boynton. Survivors also include two sisters, Antoinette Cox and her husband, Donald, of Belmont; and Leonore Ash and her husband, Larry, of Manchester, CT; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and great-nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his beloved wife, Helen, Mr. Martel was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Gerard Martel, and his sister, Doris Bragg.
The daughters and sons-in law wish to take this opportunity to express their deepest appreciation to Thelma and Harry Bean and extended family for preparing and delivering countless, tasty meals and delicious baked goods, as well as daily papers, to the home. They also wish to thank Richard Sonia for providing their father rides to the Wellness Center and other outings, as well as Frank Bragg for sharing his humor and infectious laugh with their dad on weekly joke night. All random acts of kindness, too numerous to mention here, will never be forgotten.
Calling hours will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at St. Andre Bessette Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11AM, also at the church. The public is invited to an informal reception at Martel’s Bait and Sport Shop, 49 Winnisquam Avenue, Laconia from 12:30 PM to 3 PM where fond memories, finger food, and light refreshments will be served.
Private burial services will be held at the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery on Monday, February 22, 2016, during which time Mrs. Martel will be interred with her husband and taps will be played for another lost member of the Greatest Generation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Mr. Martel may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908, or to Honor Flight New England, P.O. Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.