William J. Martin, Jr. (Bill)
Retired Pentucket Regional High School Educator, Guidance Director, and Coach
TEWKSBURY William J. Martin, Jr (Bill), age 80, a longtime resident of Tewksbury, and avid Boston sports fan, passed away peacefully at home, in the care of his family on Sunday, July 14, 2024, after a short period of declining health.
Bill was the beloved husband of Christina A. (Wilson) Martin, with whom he celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on April 19, 2024.
Born in Boston on April 4, 1944, he was the son of the late William J. Martin, Sr. and the late Mary M. (Kinsella) Martin. Bill was raised in Charlestown and Winthrop. He attended Christopher Columbus High School. Later, he received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, where he was a member of the school’s baseball team. In the 1966, his college team competed in the College Baseball World Series. In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and served during the Vietnam War Era.
Prior to retiring after 37 years, Bill was a teacher, guidance director, and highly respected athletic coach. Students in his English classes recall fond memories of reading classic literature with a Bill Martin twist to make it engaging for all. He was a one-of-a-kind counselor who made a great impact with all students in the school. In 1988, he received an award for “Excellence in Counseling” and took personal pride in all of his students' achievements. During his time at Pentucket, he coached Baseball, Football, Girls Varsity Softball and Basketball teams. Bill received several honors during his years of coaching including “Coach of the Year” dubbed the Boston Globe. He led his teams to many tournament victories, along with many other prestigious recognitions. Bill’s accomplishments with the Pentucket Softball Program in the eleven seasons he coached are legendary. Five Cape Ann League Championships, ten consecutive appearances in the MIAA Tournament, and six consecutive appearances in the North Sectional Finals. He had a great love for all his athletes and throughout his teaching career, had a great appreciation for all his students and the Pentucket Faculty.
In 2003, William retired and spent his time enjoying his nine wonderful grandchildren and traveling with his wife, Christina. Bill loved camping, especially for the summer in Standish, Maine. He enjoyed traveling during the winter months to escape the New England weather. He was an avid reader and enjoyed “coaching” all of the Boston sport teams. Bill was known to complete a challenging crossword puzzle in record time.
Bill was a parishioner of St. Roberts Bellarmine Parish for 50 years and most recently became a parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bill is predeceased by his brother, Laurence J. Martin. In addition to his wife, Christina A. Martin, he is survived by his four children: his sons William Martin and his wife Leanne Martin of Wilmington, Timothy Martin and his wife Beth Martin of Westfield, NJ, Dr. Stephen Martin and his wife Dr. Susana Ferreira Martin of Andover, and his daughter Kathleen Martin and her husband Nicholas Reynolds of Tewksbury. William is survived by his nine grandchildren: Kayla, Matthew, Ryan, Sarah, Jack, Isabella, Lucas, Matteo, and Ava Martin along with nieces and nephews. His love for his family, endearing personality, quick wit, and charisma will always be remembered.
Calling hours are Monday, July 22nd, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Tuesday, July 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral Home, followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell. Services will conclude at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the The Pentucket Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 36, Groveland, MA, 01834. Please note on the check it is in memory of Bill Martin.