Martin, Richard J., 59, of Caribou, on November 11, 2012. Arrangements are in the care of the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
Caribou – Richard J. Martin, 59, died November 11, 2012, at Portland after a brief illness. He was born on October 2, 1953, in Caribou, the beloved son of Larry and Thelma (Levesque) Martin. Richard was a graduate of Caribou High School and after a couple of years of working in Caribou, he along with two very close friends, joined the U.S. Army July 5, 1972. This was the apex of the Vietnam War and Richard was determined, as were his friends, to support the military at a time of need.
Richard had a dream of becoming a Combat Medic and entered the Army Medical Corp. He knew full well that there was every chance he could be deployed to a combat theatre but this did not deter him from his desire. Richard served during the Vietnam era and he was deployed to bases in the U.S. and Europe. Richard excelled in the Medical Corp and soon desired to fly with America’s Airborne Military Force. At the age of 20 years old he joined the Army Airborne Corp and graduated from Airborne Training at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to serve with Airborne Medical groups at various U.S. and Overseas bases and was proud to wear the Airborne Medical Corp wings known as “Dustoff.” Richard flew many medical missions in Huey helicopters and saved the lives of many soldiers on two continents.
After approximately 13 years in the Army, he retired to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine as a Registered Nurse in several major metropolitan hospitals in New England. Richard was an avid outdoorsman and immensely enjoyed hunting and fishing and year-round outdoor activities. Richard had many friends whom loved him very much and he enjoyed entertaining his friends at his lovely home in Perham. He will be sadly missed by many.
Richard is survived by his wife, Janice (Den Bleyker) Martin of Portland, his mother, Thelma Morin of Caribou, a sister, Mary Richmond of Londonderry, New Hampshire, a brother, Michael of Caribou, and a brother, Robert Martin of New York.
He is predeceased by a sister, Betty and his father, Larry.
Friends called at the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou, 7-9 p.m. Friday. Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17, 2012, from the chapel of the Mockler Funeral Home. Interment was in the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
