Clinton R. (Dinty) Martin

     Clinton R. “Dinty” Martin, 83, of Haydenville Rd., died Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the Linda Manor Extended Care Facility in Leeds.

     He was born in Greenfield on June 6, 1935 the son of William J. and Angeline (Benard) Martin. He attended schools in Greenfield and enlisted in the US Army after altering his date of birth. Dinty served near the conclusion of the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1956.

     After his service, he began his career as a millwright at the Strathmore Paper Company and later the International Paper Company. His career continued for over 40 years until his retirement in 1997.

     In his free time Dinty loved to ride his motorcycle, a talent he learned back when he was a 16 year old. He also enjoyed snowmobiling with his brother Billy and weekly visits with his sister Arlene and dear brother Dave.

He and Marsha were fortunate to find a “tribe” of friends who they traveled with and shared many happy adventures. 

In his later years he became a strong Red Sox and Patriots fan, loved to fish, and being around his home, cottage,  in his gardens and with his dogs. After he and Marsha bought their cottage, his friends remember Dinty, the perfectionist, hand dipping and line drying the many hundreds of shingles he used to refurbished the exterior. He looked forward to card and board games at the cottage by the lake and playing cribbage with his sons.

     On October 30, 1982 he was married to the former Marsha Correia. They enjoyed many wonderful years together and as his health began to fail, Marsha was right there with him loving and supporting him through his illness.

     Dinty is survived by his loving wife Marsha, two sons; Neil Martin and his partner Laura Fortune of Conway, William “Billy” Martin and his partner Susan Podlenski of Northfield, three daughters; Arnie Martin of Greenfield, Maureen Cormier and her husband Mark of Charlemont, Leigh LaGrant and her husband Gregory of Belchertown, and five grandchildren; Janelle Martin, Michele Billiel, William Martin Jr., and Theo and Max LaGrant.

     All are welcome to a gathering of family and friends on Saturday, December 8 from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield. Refreshments will be available.

     Burial services will be private.

     In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Dinty’s love for dogs, it is suggested memorial contributions be made to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101 or online at www.dpvhs.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clinton R. (Dinty) Martin, please visit our floral store.