Peter F. Martin died on Saturday Oct. 22, 2005, at the age of 73 years. He died peacefully in his East Derry home with Hannah, his wife of 40 years, at his side. His death came after a long struggle with emphysema and heart disease.
Pete was born on Dec. 9, l931 in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was the son of Margarita and Robert Martin. His early years were on dairy farms in New York State. In 1947 his family moved to Derry when his father became manager of the Hood Farm. Pete attended Pinkerton Academy, graduating in 1949. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served his country for 4 years, with two tours of duty in Korea, advancing to the rank of Sergeant in the USMC.
After the Marine Corps, he worked in Massachusetts as heavy equipment operator, tractor-trailer driver, and transportation trouble-shooter. In 1965 he returned to his hometown of Derry, and married Hannah in 1966. In the following years he was heavy truck driver, then plant manager for F&S Concrete Company in Londonderry. In later years he worked as parts department manager for several Ford agencies.
His interests and hobbies included antique autos, CB radio, electronics, woodworking, and model trains.
He leaves behind his wife Hannah in East Derry; brother-in-law Michael Rutter, sister-in-law Linda Rutter, niece Rebecca Rutter of East Derry; 3 sisters: Carol Belanger of Levant, Me.; Patricia Borden of Caribou, Me.; Mildred Legacy of Randolph, Vt., and 3 brothers: Larry Cookinham of Ilion, NY; Bill Hamblin of Elmira, NY; and Jim Cookinham of Forest Port, NY. He also leaves a step-brother, 4 step-sisters, and many nieces and nephews. He was dearly loved by all his family and friends, and his smile and kindness will be greatly missed.
Following cremation, a graveside Memorial Service was held on Saturday November 5 at 11:00am in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry. Following the ceremony, family and friends were invited to the Martin Homestead to continue in the celebration of Pete’s life.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the NH Lung Association, 9 Cedarwood Dr., Unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110 or the American Heart Association, Northeast Affiliate, 2 Wall St., Manchester, NH 03101.