Martin, Roger Francis

It is with sorrow our family mourns the passing of Roger Francis Martin, 73, son of the late Armand and Lucie (Morin) Martin on February 23, 2024. Born in Hartford on February 22, 1951, Roger was raised in Newington and spent his adult years living in New Britain and Plainville. After losing his beloved mother to cancer at the age of 12, Roger bravely moved on, graduating from Newington High School (Class of 1969), UCONN School of Business (Class of 73), and the Data Institute Business School, now Goodwin University.

Roger was a kind man with a pleasant smile and warm blue eyes who loved his family, and all of their pets, unconditionally. Throughout his life, Roger was an ardent walker, putting in miles each day, resulting in both physical strength and endurance.

Although Roger was a huge fan of the UConn Huskies, his greatest passion in life was music. He thoroughly enjoyed listening to his favorite tunes, purchasing, collecting, selling, and showcasing his vast collection at the Flea Market at the Crossing in Plainville. Roger especially liked the music of Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Elvis, and The Beach Boys to name a few. He was affectionately referred to as “Rockin’ Roger” and “Near Mint Martin” by his music friends, nieces and nephews. Roger’s love for collecting music was second to none. In addition to his father and mother, Roger was predeceased by his stepmother Gertrude Martin, brother Richard Martin, and nephew Gregory John Martin. Roger leaves behind his loving sister Patricia Gai and her husband Robert of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, formally from Newington, his sister-in-law Peggy Martin of Old Saybrook, step sister-in-law Nicole Condon and her husband Richard of Newington, and 11 nieces and nephews: Carrie Rametta and her husband Robert, Brian Martin, Todd Martin and his wife Laurie, Suzanne Martin, Rob Gai and his wife Casey, Kevin Gai and his wife Rebecca, Pamela Gai, Christopher Gai, Marc Condon and his wife Elaine, Steven Condon and his wife Kelly, and Craig Condon. He also leaves behind many cousins, great nieces and nephews, and friends. Roger will be missed deeply by those who loved and cared for him. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. James St. Pierre for his medical expertise and compassion, to the owners and staff of Bellemarie/ Victorian Gardens/The Blessed House of Plainville for their wonderful care, and more recently to Jefferson House, where his care was beyond spectacular. A heartfelt thank you to Roger’s niece Carrie for spearheading his medical care and always being the one that Roger and his medical staff could count on to help them through the difficult times.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Roger’s family on Saturday, March 9, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington, with a service at 11:00 a.m. Directly following, Roger will be laid to rest next to his mother, in St. Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley Street, New Britain. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www.duksa.net