VAN BUREN – Conrad R. Martin, 75, died March 26, at a Van Buren health care facility after a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Hamlin on March 13, 1932, the seventh of 9 children born to Peter R. and Edna M. (Cormier) Martin.

He attended local schools and was a graduate of Van Buren Boys High School.

He was a Korean War veteran, serving with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. Upon his return from the service, he attended Husson College.

On Aug. 4, 1958, he married the former Hilda C. Cyr at the St. Bruno Church in Van Buren, and resided in Van Buren the remainder of his life.

At various times, he worked in government positions and in retail sales. He joined the U.S. Customs Service in 1968 as a customs inspector, serving first in Daquaam, then successively in Estcourt, Fort Kent, Madawaska and finally at the Van Buren and Hamlin border inspection stations, retiring in 1996.

He was awarded several commendations throughout his career related to his job performance. He was well respected and liked by both his co-workers and the public.

He was an active member of St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church in Van Buren. He was a member of American Legion Post 49, the Knights of Columbus Council 1635 and the Fourth Degree Assembly of Van Buren. He was also a charter member of the Van Buren Lions Club.

He was a kind and generous man who helped many along his journey. Slow to anger, he had a great sense of humor, knew how to tell a good story and enjoyed the occasional prank.

In his earlier years, he would sometimes play the accordion at gatherings and he expended considerable time growing roses and landscaping his camp property at Long Lake, where he enjoyed the peace and quiet. He was an avid sports fan, especially of college basketball.

After he retired, he enjoyed growing tomatoes as a hobby, which he would share with neighbors and friends. He was proud of the several religious hymns he composed. He especially loved children, and took great pleasure in spoiling his only grandchild, Emily Martin.

More than anything else, however, Conrad was a prayerful man of deep faith.

He is survived by his only child, Lloyd Martin, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Auburn; one grandchild, Emily Martin of Auburn; three sisters, Irene Thibodeau of Caribou, Carmen Thibodeau and her husband, Alban, also of Caribou, and Pauline Ouellette of Van Buren; one sister-in-law, Mary Martin of Lisbon; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife, Hilda (Cyr) Martin, on Oct. 26, 1995; three sisters, Gertrude Ouellette, Arlene Martin, and Alfreda Doucette; and two brothers, Normand Martin and Gerald Martin.

The family will be forever grateful to Peter Martin, Conrad’s friend and neighbor who assisted him the last several years, thus allowing him to live at home longer than would otherwise have been possible.