LOWVILLE, NY – Carlton D. Martin, 98, of Eugene Street, Lowville, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11, 2020, at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility.
Carlton was born on Oct. 29, 1922, in Dexter, NY, a son of the late David J. and Ruby M. Noakes Martin and moved to Deferiet, NY two months later. He went to grade school in Deferiet and graduated in 1939 from Carthage High School.
Carlton went to work at Deferiet Paper Mill in the chemistry laboratory as a paper tester, then in the beater room where he ran the filters, later being transferred to the #5 paper machine. It was during this period that he met his wife, Waneta and was married in January 1942.
He was drafted in June, 1943 and trained in Georgia, Florida & Alabama. He transferred from the anti-aircraft to the aviation cadets and went to Miami Beach for training. He passed, and was sent to Moody Field, Georgia to start. While there, he received a letter from General Arnold sending him to the 66th Infantry Division. He was shipped overseas on Thanksgiving 1944 to England. He crossed the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944 on to Belgian ships, The Cheshire and the Leopoldville. The Leopoldville was torpedoed six miles off the port of Cherbourg, France, killing 790 men, average age 21. He was sent to Lorient & St. Nazaire where the Germans still had submarines, planes & 55,000 men. He spent an uncomfortable five months fighting and freezing until May 1945. Carlton was discharged in December 1945.
After working for Williams Appliance Store, he was the President/Engineer of the Lowville Cable Company. When he first got home he was in on the job training and studied for the two and 1/2 years International Correspondence schools, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Then as the business changed to radio-television and 2 and ½ year course in radio-tv and 1 year course in color tv. In 1963 he built the cable system. He did all the initial engineering including the pole line. He ran the system until 1969, when his partners wanted to retire. He trained his replacement before starting his own color TV repair business, Reliable Electronics.
Carlton was very involved in the implementation of the 911 system in Lewis County and was also very active with Lewis County Citizen’s Patrol.
He was an avid ham radio operator and a member of the ham radio club. He was also a member of Glen-Greig Fish and Game Club.
Together with his wife, they were founding members of North Country Swingers Square Dance Club.
Carlton’s favorite pastime was spending time with the Burker family.
He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Candice and Jim Barber, Colorado; a son, Craig Martin, Florida; a son-in-law, Greg Burker and his wife, P.J., Watson; five grandchildren, Scott Martin, Cathy Barber, Lee Burker, Tobi Bacon and Thomas Shaw; three great-grandchildren, Carter Bacon, Owen Shaw and Marleigh Shaw; nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Waneta; a son, Neil Martin; a daughter, Joy Burker; and his siblings; Frederick A. Martin; Marylou Ielfield; and Sally.
In keeping with Carlton’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. A private military honors ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.
To honor Carlton, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Friends of Lewis County Hospice Garden Fund, in C/O Linda Noftsier. 9021 Van Amber Road, Castorland, NY 13620.
LOWVILLE, NY – Carlton D. Martin, 98, of Eugene Street, Lowville, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11, 2020, at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility.
