CRAFTSBURY – Randy R. Martin, 64, of Craftsbury, passed away on November 2, at UVM Medical Center in Burlington. He was born on September 25, 1960, in Newport, to Percy and Jeannette (Atwood) Martin. On May 3, 1986, he married Michele “Micki” Williams, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage; together the couple had three children.
Randy grew up in Craftsbury on the dairy farms operated first by his parents and later by his mother and step-father, Robert Anderson. He attended Craftsbury Academy, graduating in 1978. During his time in school he played basketball and soccer and was an active member of the local Future Farmers of America chapter, serving as a state-wide officer for the organization for two years.
After graduating high school Randy began a 40-year career as a carpenter while also continuing to help out on the family farm. In 1982, while attending a party hosted by his close personal friends, Moe and Karen Paquette, Randy met Karen’s sister Micki. The pair began a long-distance relationship, with Micki still living on Long Island, that eventually turned into a life-long love. They were wed in 1986 and made their home on a portion of Randy’s family farm.
An active member of the community, Randy was a member of the Craftsbury Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Craftsbury School Board for over a decade. While on the school board he also acted as Craftsbury’s representative to the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center board. Randy was perhaps best known in his community as “Coach” though; he began volunteering as a youth baseball and basketball coach in the early 1990s, when his own children started playing, and continued to coach for nearly two decades. When Randy wasn’t coaching he and Micki could be found boisterously supporting their own children, and any other Craftsbury teams, loudly and adamantly.
A lifelong Miami Dolphins fan, Randy could be found every Sunday during football season cheering on, or criticizing, his beloved Phins while spending nearly as much time rooting against the hated Patriots. An avid reader of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction, Randy amassed a collection of thousands of books over the first six decades of his life before finally switching to his trusty Kindle, which accompanied him wherever he went. All that reading made Randy something of a history and general trivia buff, and he was always more than happy to shout answers from his recliner even if he wasn’t seated directly at the table during game nights.
Following his retirement from work as a carpenter Randy dove headlong into one of his true passions, one he’d only ever been able to dabble in before; gardening. Every March he and his mom Jeannette would plant hundreds of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables. By the fall Randy’s tomatoes could be found in homes and even restaurants all over northern Vermont, and his pickles and dilly beans were a hit at many a deer camp.
Family was everything to Randy. He supported his children in all facets of life, and while not much of a talker it was always clear that Dad had their back. One of the proudest, and happiest, moments of his life came when he was able to walk his daughter Lauren down the aisle earlier this year.
In the final five years of his life Randy earned perhaps his favorite title; Papa. Limited mobility didn’t stop him from serving as the best gardening instructor, movie buddy, tractor driver and cheese-puff chef that his grandchildren could ask for.
Randy is survived by his loving wife, Michele, and by their three children; Andrew Martin and partner Sabrina Gayle of Craftsbury, Lauren Paparo and husband Rick Paparo of Colchester and Jason Martin and fiancé Michaela Morris of Craftsbury. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Blake and Josie Martin; his older brother Paul Martin and wife Rita of Albany; his sisters-in-law Sheryl Martin and Patty Martin of Craftsbury, Christine Hotelling of Burlington, Karen Williams of Long Island; his brothers-in-law Maurice Paquette and Mike Hotelling of Burlington, Keith Dunbar of Craftsbury, Donald Hespeler of Florida; and by a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends. Randy also had a special place in his heart for his four-legged canine companions and he is survived by one of those best friends, Poppy.
Randy was pre-deceased by his parents, Percy Martin and Jeannette Anderson; his step-father Robert Anderson; his older brothers Bruce and Roger Martin; his father-in-law Walter Williams, his sisters-in-law Stephanie Dunbar, Nancy Hespeler, Karen Paquette and brother-in-law Robert Williams.
His family would like to thank the staff at North Country Hospital and the University of Vermont Medical Center for the end-of-life care Randy received in his final days.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Craftsbury Common Cemetery with Rev. Kim LaRose officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Randy’s memory can be made to the Stephanie Dunbar Memorial Scholarship. Donations can be sent to the Craftsbury Town Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 55, Craftsbury, VT 05826. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Davis & Bouffard Funeral Home, Craftsbury Common.
