Martin J. Jennings Jr.

1918 – 2010

Martin Joseph Jennings Jr., 91,  passed away on Feb. 19, after courageously battling cancer for the past year.

He was born on Dec. 4, 1918, to his Irish immigrant parents, Martin J. Sr. and Delia Griffin Jennings. One of nine children, he grew up on Munjoy Hill. Marty attended local schools. At 17, he left Portland High School to serve in the C.C.C. to help support his family.

During World War II Marty worked at the South Portland Shipyard. Later he was employed as a truck driver/delivery man for Portland Distributors, a beverage wholesaler on Commercial Street. Marty became a salesman for that company and traveled throughout Southern Maine making many friends in the small stores and markets. He was later promoted to branch manager.

Marty was an avid golfer and played at many courses with his group of close friends. He was a member of the Riverside Golf Course where he played every Sunday during the season and in his retirement years he joined Summit Golf Course . He taught his wife Cese to golf, and they played in a couple’s league until a few years ago when his eyesight declined.

As a younger man, Marty played on several softball teams and was a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. Papa, as he was fondly called, enjoyed the activities, events and sports contests of his children and grandchildren.

Martin was a past communicant of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart Parishes. For many years he was the sexton at Sacred Heart Church, ringing the steeple bells. He involved his five grandchildren in ringing the bells at Mass, followed by breakfast at McDonalds. Marty loved to sing and dance and participated in the minstrel shows at Sacred Heart Church. He was a man of strong faith.

In 1976, his first wife Virginia Cushing Jennings died. Ginny was the mother of his two daughters. Several years later he married Cecile Collet Croteau and moved to her home in Lewiston. Marty was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church where he became active.

They also enjoyed many summers at their home on Thompson Lake. They traveled together to Hawaii, Florida, and Galway, Ireland, the home of his ancestors. Last year he celebrated his 90th birthday with four generations present. This past summer Martin attended the Jennings family reunion in Pine Point with 150 family members in attendance, some from as far away as California. Marty was the center of attention at Thanksgiving at Sharon and Phil’s home and Christmas Eve at Dottie and Dave’s home.

Marty will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew him for his loving ways, positive attitude, energetic spirit and many kindnesses put forth during his lifetime. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Marty is survived by his beloved wife and caregiver, Cecile, of 31 years, and his two devoted daughters, Sharon and husband, Philip Conley, of Portland, and Dorothy (Dottie) and husband, David Rumpf, of Scarborough. He also leaves behind five special grandchildren, Philip and wife, Kelly Conley, Karen and husband, Kevin Arruda, Katherine (Kate) and husband, Jason Harris, Ann Marie and husband, Brian Noiles, and David and wife, Amy Rumpf; and nine delightful great-grandchildren, Shannon, Patrick and Kayla Conley, Abigail and Ashley Arruda, Cameron Harris, Courtney and Caitlin Noiles, and Hailey Rumpf.

He also leaves his brother William Jennings and his wife, Virginia; his sisters, Mary Whitmore, Frances Merrill and Irene Bernier; sister-in-law, Constance Gauvin; brother-in-law, Louis Collet and wife, Rita; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Martin was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Virginia; his parents; three brothers, Edward, Thomas and Loughlin; one sister, Katherine Westort; and a sister-in-law, Eleanor Heflin.

A special thanks to Dr. Austin and the dedicated and caring staff at The Hospice House of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice.