NORWICH – Francis D. Martin, 89, of Norwich, passed away early Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, 2008 at his home.
The son of Francis and Jennie (Donohue) Martin, Francis was born in New York City in July of 1919, and spent the better part of his life there. He was a graduate of the DeWitt Clinton High School. Francis and Margaret Eagan were married in St. Luke’s Church in New York City on Sept. 29, 1946, and together they owned and operated a bakery and, later, a fruit stand. Francis was also an employee of the New York Central Railroad, later ConRail, from which he retired in the mid-1970s after numerous years on the job. He and Margaret moved to Norwich in 1979 to enjoy their retirement and, while living here, attended St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Francis is survived locally by his niece, Cathy Brush, her husband Jim, and sons Liam, Brendan and Patrick, of Norwich; as well as by several other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Martin, in March of 2000 by their son, Francis Jr., and his brothers, James and John Martin.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Francis will be held at 10 a.m. Friday from St. Bartholomew’s Church. The Rev. Lester Smith, pastor of St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church of Sherburne, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of Oxford. There will be no calling hours.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.