Martin Warmath Jr.

Waterford — Marty “Mike” Warmath Jr., 67, passed away peacefully March 11, 2021, with his family by his side after a quiet, but arduous battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Marty was born in the Florida Keys to Nancy Warmath and Lt. Commander Martin Warmath Sr. The eldest of five children, Marty’s patience, kindness, and laid-back demeanor were matched only by his biting wit that was honed early and used often.

As with many U.S. Navy families, the Warmaths moved frequently and eventually settled in Gales Ferry. Marty graduated with honors from Ledyard High School in 1971, and while not an athletically inclined teenager, made his way onto the playing field by way of the high school marching band, instilling a love of music that would stay with him throughout his life.

Following high school, he was awarded a full scholarship to Penn State, but after one year, decided instead to return to Connecticut and work full-time at Electric Boat in Groton. He continued his education part-time at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, magna cum laude. It was there, in an organizational psychology class, that he met the love of his life, Debra. Unbeknownst to him, Marty’s work and personal life were intrinsically linked as he soon discovered the cute redhead in class was also his boss’s daughter. Thankfully, Debra was able to accept Marty’s questionable fashion sense — an unabashed love of suspenders, plaid and unruly facial hair which led to frequent comparisons to Grizzly Adams and, later in life, Santa Claus. Marty and Debra would have celebrated 40 years of marriage this summer.

Together the pair built their life in southeastern Connecticut, with Marty spending five years at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant and over 30 years at Electric Boat working in both radiological controls and emergency planning. A curious man by nature, he could often be found reading piles of books, exploring new roads in his beloved Jeep and completing the New York Times crossword (with pen).

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Debra; and daughter, Jennifer; as well as his siblings, Vera Stober (Berne), Rena Parchaiski (Ed), Drew Warmath and Janet Klos. He will also be remembered by his in-laws, Raymond and Barbara Panciera; and brothers-in-law, Ray Panciera and Jon Panciera (Bambi); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

His family would like to extend their immense gratitude to Dr. Hennessey as well as the staff at Fairview for their compassion and care of Marty, who remained animated and opinionated until the very end.

Due to the pandemic, a Celebration of Life will be held over the summer when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, tribute donations can be made in his honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/donate. Memories and condolences may be shared at abbeycremation.com on Marty’s memorial page.