LEWISTON – Allan Burton Martin, 77, of Lewiston, died peacefully at home during the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 31.

He was born to Allen Colter Martin and Hattie (Parkhurst) Martin in Wilton, on Nov. 2, 1931. He moved with his family to the town of Canton as a young man and graduated from Canton High School, with high honors, in 1950.

He married his high school sweetheart Pauline Evelyn (Cobb) in the little church across from her home in East Sumner on Oct. 14, 1951. They were inseparable for 57 years.

For 23 years, he was vice president of Pinewood Press in Canton, where he excelled at his craft. He spent many happy hours inspiring his four children to love and respect the outdoors. At an early age, he taught them how to cast a fly rod, identify a wildflower or bird call, seek out a constellation in the night sky, and “work” the family gardens and orchard. He was so tickled with each child’s accomplishments in life and told them so often.

At age 23, following in his fathers footsteps, he became a master Mason at Whitney Lodge 167 in Canton. He achieved the position of district deputy of the 20th Masonic District of Maine at a young age. As he was a member for more than 50 years, he was recently honored as a life member. He was a member of Scottish Rite of the local council chapter of the Valley of The Androscoggin and a member of the Consistory in the Valley of Portland. He was a lifetime member of the Androscoggin Shrine Club and the Kora Shrine Temple, as well as the Pine Cone Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

While living in Canton, he and his family were members of the United Baptist Church in Canton, where he served as deacon, taught Sunday School and was the youth leader of both junior and senior high for many years.

He was an appointed and elected member of the SAD 21 school board, where he was a calm and strong advocate for others. While his children were still very young, he and his wife Pauline opened their home to many Canton area children and served as troop leaders to both Cub and Boy Scouts. Winter evenings were a gathering spot for local youth as they enjoyed winter sports, hot cocoa and popcorn on the Martin porch.

At 41 years of age, he entered Central Maine Medical Center’s School of Nursing, graduating in the top of his class in 1975. After graduation, he was hired as an instructor of nursing, teaching psychology and sociology courses until 1985. His eldest daughter, Alanna, was a student of his and she and her classmates can testify to his wisdom and dry sense of humor. A lifelong learner, he continued his education and graduated from St. Joseph’s College with honors and a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He founded and was the worksite coordinator of The Health Center in Lewiston and worked in CMMC’s Physician Services Department as a physician advocate.

He and Pauline moved to Lewiston in 1976, and enjoyed their neighbors and home overlooking the river, and nurtured their many flowerbeds and numerous varieties of birds. They transferred their church membership to Auburn’s Court Street Baptist Church in 1978. His church family was a source of joy – a place where he loved others and was loved by all in return. He lived a life of dignity, was a natty dresser, spoke to the positive and always said “I’m fine.” He always knew the right words to say, and kept the twinkle in his eye long after he had lost his ability to see. He was both graceful and gracious. Of his last words he quoted, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”

He is survived by his wife, Pauline; daughter, Alanna Sommer and husband, Ray, of Argyle, Texas; daughter, Jan Bunford and husband, Eric, of Lewiston; son, Paul Allan Martin and wife, Christa, of Celina, Texas; son, Carl Edward Martin of Portland; 12 beloved grandchildren; eight sweet great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.