Obituary of Richard Martell

Richard “Dick” Martell, age 85, of Tupper Lake, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake surrounded by his loving family.  There will be no services per his request, arrangements are under the care and direction of Frary-Stuart Funeral Home.

Richard is survived by his wife, Carol Martell; his children, Pamela Carroll, and her partner, Dennis Showmaker, of New Jersey, Wanda Knobel and her husband, Rusty, of Saranac Lake, Patricia Breyette, and her husband, Robert, of South Carolina, Kathleen Bly, and her husband, Jeffery, of Tupper Lake, and Debra Schmidt, and her husband, Richard, of Myrtle Beach, S.C; and his sister-in-law, Joan Martell, of Florida. Richard is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Richard is predeceased by his son, James Michael Martell; his parents William and Mary Martell; and his siblings Ronald, Ernest, Ken, Leonna, Hildred, Mary, Theresa, Ernestine, Sheila, and Doris.

Richard was born on March 2, 1934, in Saranac Lake, the son of William and Mary Savoie Martell.  He attended local schools and later earned his GED while working at Sunmount in Tupper Lake. Richard met his wife, Carol, at the Saranac Lake Hospital, who was employed as a nurse.  They were married on May 14, 1970 in Tupper Lake. Richard drove taxi in Saranac Lake for many years, and was later employed at Ray Brook.  Richard also worked at Sumount as a therapy aid, and retired as a supervisor on March 9, 1989.

Richard enjoyed the great outdoors and spent his time hunting and riding his snowmobile.  In his younger years, Richard would regularly race stock cars in Saranac Lake with his friends.  Richard enjoyed bowling and playing pool, and was known to many as the horseshoe King. He played for the local Tupper Lake Men’s Softball league and also coached a women’s softball team.  Richard enjoyed working and building things in his spare time and his family could always rely on him for handy work around the house.  Richard loved spending time with his family, especially taking his grandchildren and great grandchildren on golf cart rides.

Donations in Richard’s memory can be made out to North Country Life Flight, 49 Helms Mueller Road, Saranac Lake, NY and to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, 4601 Forbes Blvd. suite 130 Lanham, MD, 20706.

Condolences can be made at www.fraryfuneralhomes.com