Peter Humphrey Martin, 67, of Amston, Conn., passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Oct. 16, with his beloved wife and best friend, Pat by his side.
Born Dec. 23, 1946 in Van Buren, he was the son of the late Edgar and Florence (Humphrey) Martin. His family moved to Canton, Conn. in the 60s where Peter graduated from Canton High. He began his higher learning at Eastern Connecticut State College and from there went on to earn his Ph.D. in Education from UConn. His career began as a Special Education teacher. When he left that position, he founded RISE, a Regional In Service Education program for teachers. He was later hired to be the acting principal for the then newly created East Hartford/Glastonbury Magnet School, a job he loved. His final post in the education field was Director of Education for the town of Ellington. He retired in 2006.
Peter was a unique individual with varied interests and talents. He enjoyed Jazz music, playing Jazz piano, painting with watercolor, architecture, archeology and carpentry. He was a self-taught builder of stonewalls using the Ford 8N tractor he named “Nellie” to aid in the moving of large stones.
He loved the state of Maine, where he and his parents and sister rented a cottage summers on Pemaquid Point until his parents purchased a summer home there. He inherited his parents’ cottage and he and his wife Pat stayed there as often as possible during the summer months, dining on two of his favorite foods: lobster and Maine blueberries.
Being a Mainer, Peter loved the snow and while others would dread the oncoming storm, he would gleefully await it to the groans of those around him.
Peter had a wonderful sense of humor and was a big fan of the “Bert and I” duo and could recite some of their skits in his “wicked good” Maine accent. He was kind, compassionate, and loving with a sincere, heartfelt interest in people.
In addition to his wife, Pat, of 26 years, survivors include a sister and her husband, Valerie and Michael Heath and their son, Benjamin of Brunswick, and numerous and beloved extended family and countless friends. He also leaves behind his two special and much loved Maine Coon cats, Dexter and Molly.
Memorial visiting hours will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wed., Oct. 22 at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, Conn. A celebration of his extraordinary life is to be scheduled at a later date. Burial will be private.
Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 238 West Town St. Norwich, CT 06360.
Messages of condolence may be made online at www.courant.com.
