AUBURN – Roger H. Martin, 79, of Auburn, passed away on Oct. 3, surrounded by his family at the Androscoggin Hospice House after a long, courageous battle with heart disease.

He was born in St. David, on Nov. 20, 1928, to Egline and Alphie Martin. After his mothers death when he was 5 years old, his father remarried and his new mom Emily Martin raised him.

He resided in Madawaska as a child, and in Lewiston, Auburn and Freeport for most of his life. He spent the last four months of his life living with his loving family in New Gloucester.

He attended St. Patrick’s School, and at the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served for two years until 1948.

He started his career in the shoe Industry at the age of 21, and very quickly became a very prominent superintendent and foreman for many local shoe manufacturing companies including Eastland Shoe, Cushman Shoe, Freeport Shoe Co., Supreme Slipper, Songo Shoe, Fancy Stitchers and Nike. His nieces and nephews called him “Uncle Nike,” because he used to bring them new Nike sneakers.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his earlier years. As time went on he enjoyed snowmobiling, playing cards, puttering around the house and most of all spending quality time with his family and friends at his camp in Weld.

He was married to Colleen Martin for 34 years, until her passing in January of this year. Their life together was filled with a great love of family and friends.

He has four children, Jim Martin and his wife, Brenda Martin, of Yarmouth, Sharon Kibler and her husband, Gary Kibler, of New Gloucester, Sandra Martin of Alva, Fla., Susan Leavens and her husband, David Leavens, of Quitman, Ga.; five stepchildren with his wife, Colleen, Dian Mooar of Canton, Gary Mooar of Auburn, Allen Mooar of Minot, Mike Mooar of Mississippi, and Lyn Berry of Auburn, who is now deceased; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, which he adored; seven sisters, Simone Dionne of Lewiston, Rolande Nedeau of Cheney, Wash., Ramona Gagnon and her husband, Hermel, of Bristol, Conn., Jeanine Dufour of Sarasota, Fla., Egline Hollfelder and her husband, Richard, of Canton, Conn., Geraldine Lunt of Auburn and Jackie Mochamer and her husband, Harry, of Farmington; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 34 years, Colleen Martin; his father, Alfie Martin; his mother, Egline Martin; his, mother, Emily Martin; his sister, Irma Cote; brother-in-law, Earl Cote; brother, Romule (Butch) Martin and his wife, Florence; brother, Elmer Martin; and stepdaughter, Lynn Berry.

God Bless you Dad, we love you and will miss you always.