BRATTLEBORO, VT — It is with a heavy heart, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Pepére, favorite uncle, relative and friend, Joseph N. Martin Jr. on November 3, 2024.

Joe was born January 2, 1936, to Joseph N (Sr.) and Auriza (Lariviere) Martin of Central Falls, RI. One of eight siblings, he learned from an early age the value of hard work and generosity. He graduated from Sacred Heart
Academy in Central Falls, R.I. in 1954 after fulfilling a pact with his brothers that they would all graduate from high school after working to cover their own tuition. He proudly served for five years in the Rhode Island Army Guard as an Artillery Specialist. His remaining education was informal, with a deep appreciation of history and a love of reading; when he wasn’t busy fixing something, his nose was in a very thick book, including reading a set of 26 encyclopedias. A lover of information, he possessed an incredible ability to remember facts and loved to share that knowledge with those around him. He was also intrigued by all things scientific and mechanical and understood the workings of many machines and engines in addition to appreciating the characteristics of creative problem solving, farm equipment, firearms, and, in his early years, fast cars. He could speak in depth about the periodic table of elements and was fascinated with astronomy. Joe was also a proud left-handed Frenchman who embraced Murphy’s Law and appreciated Dilbert cartoons.

In 1969, he met the love of his life, Jeanne (Mongeau). They were married in 1970 and settled in their first home in Burrillville, R.I. With three toddlers in diapers, they took a leap of faith and in 1974, purchased a small farm in Stow, Maine, to begin a new life of farming and giving their children a childhood away from the city. Joe was particularly proud of cutting so much firewood that he only had to fill the oil tank one time in fifteen years. He set up a solar water heating system in the 1980s, operated a portable sawmill and built just about anything you can imagine out of handcut or reclaimed resources from the area. In 1998, they moved to Lovell for retirement in a smaller home with a nice big garage full of tools and a beautiful view of the mountains. After Jeanne’s passing in 2001, Joe lived alone for many years but spent significant time at the family farm in Stow with his daughter Sara and her family. Joe moved to Brattleboro, Vt., in 2016 to be closer to his other two daughters and many grandchildren. He received spectacular end of life care from the teams at Vernon Hall and Bayada Hospice.

Joe leaves his daughter, Suzanne Wagner and her husband Isaac of Brattleboro, Vt., his daughter Rebecca Lescarbeau and her husband Michael of Agawam, Mass., and seven grandchildren, Gabrielle, Julia, Amanda Grace, Hazel, Greta, Virgil, and Eben. He is remembered fondly by nephews, nieces, friends and many others.

Joe was predeceased by his wife Jeanne in 2001, his daughter Sara Neddenriep in 2022, and his seven siblings Jean, Raymond, Theresa, Rita, Constance, Freddie and Normand.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Michael’s School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT, or any organization that focuses on the wellbeing, personal growth and happiness of children and their families.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, Brattleboro with Fr. Henry Furman, Pastor, celebrant. The family welcomes those who can to join us for a luncheon at A Vermont Table on High Street, Brattleboro, immediately following the service. Friends are welcome to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home, 40 Terrace St., Brattleboro, Friday, November 22 from 4 to 6 p.m.

To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.