INDUSTRY — James I. “Jim” Martin Jr., 76, of Industry, was given over to the Lord on Monday, July 19, at his lakeside home, with family and longtime companion at his side.

He was born July 20, 1933, in Wilton, the son of James I. and Mary (Lepianka) Martin, where he attended schools in East Wilton and graduated from Wilton Academy, Class of 1951.

On Oct. 24, 1953, he married Pamela T. (Roy) Martin at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay. Together they raised a family of six children in Wilton. He sang songs and “whistled” while he worked at his best job as a father. Jim worked briefly at IP in Jay and for Woolworth in Boston, before partnering with John Clemens to operate the Esso Service Station in Wilton. His love for automobiles eventually led him to begin his own business selling and servicing used cars.

In 1964, Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit brought him to be one of the pioneers of imported auto sales in Maine, beginning with Saab and then settling in with Subaru in 1971. He also spent many years as a co-owner of Hard Luck Lumber Co.

Following a brief retirement after selling his Subaru franchise in 1987, he again entered the used car business, partnering with his son, Matt, to operate Jim Martin Auto Sales in Farmington, until his full retirement in 2003. Jim made many lifelong friends in the business and had thousands of loyal customers in Franklin County to whom he was always grateful.

Jim was an outdoorsman at heart and spent much of his free time hunting and fishing with family and friends. He also gave generously of his time to the Wilton Little League baseball and football programs in the late 1960s through mid 70s.

A reminder to “Keep your eye on the ball” will forever echo across Colby Athletic Field and play in the memories of hundreds of Wilton’s young sportsmen. He had a passion for the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins and NASCAR and cheered for the “King Richard,” but he also raced his own Saab V-4 on the ice and claimed dozens of trophies as a driver.

In his retirement, he expanded his fishing trips with his longtime cherished companion, Yvette Southworth, to Canada, the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico from their winter home in Homasassa, Fla. No trout or salmon was ever safe when his boat was in the water.

He is survived by his loving and caring partner of 23 years, Yvette Southworth of Industry; his former wife, Pam Martin of Farmington; a son, Michael Martin and his wife, Maureen, of Farmington and their children, William, John, Joseph, James and Thomas; a daughter, Vicki Dean and her husband, Tim, of Mechanic Falls and their children, Anna, David and Isaac; a son, Matthew Martin and his wife, Shanna, of Farmington and their son, Ryan; a daughter, Beth Simonds and her husband, Rick, of Falmouth and their children, Kevin, Abby, Megan and Rachel; a daughter, Joanne Chancey and her husband, Dean, of Farmington and their children, Lucas, Nicholas and Sean; a daughter, Rachel Bulger and her husband, Bill, of Windham and their children, Gweneth and Sadie; Yvette’s children, Leona Michelsen and her husband, Dave and their children, Katie and Peter; Jennifer “Jenn” McGowan and her husband, Dan, and their children, Kelsey and Tom and Pamela “Pam” Child and her husband, Glenn and their children, Kimmy and Nickk. Jim was expecting his first great-grandchild of William and Amanda Martin later this fall.

He was predeceased by his father and mother.

A special thanks goes out to all who shared their kindness and prayers with Jim and the family.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family at www.wilesrc.com.