Ware - Douglas Allen Martell of Ware, and formally West Brookfield and Brookfield, died on Friday, March 25, 2022.
He leaves his wife of 16 years, Betty “Babs” (Borger) Martell; his children, Peter Martell of Brookfield, Denette Schlager of Brentwood NH, David Martell and wife Erin of Brookfield, and Kerry Miner and husband Justin of North Brookfield, along with his treasured grandchildren, Alexa, Ethan, Ted and Curtis. He also leaves his two sisters, Carol Humphrey of Brookfield and Connie Martell of North Brookfield, as well as many friends. He was predeceased by his first love and wife of 38 years, Diane (Gervais) Martell in 2004. He was born in Ware on March 16, 1948, son of the late Laura (Hazzard) and Allen Martell.
A graduate of Ware High in 1966, he graduated from Worcester State College and went on to get his Master's Degree in Library Science from The University of Rhode Island. A lifelong learner, he continued to take courses at Worcester State after retirement “just for fun.” He worked as an educator and librarian for over 30 years, spending most of his career in the Worcester public school district. This chosen profession gave him one of his greatest joys, summers off to have fun with his family. Camping trips in the White Mountains and trips to Misquamicut beach were certainly highlights. Summers, he could also be found at the Clam Box in Brookfield working most weekends. Later, he enjoyed many road trips, Caribbean cruises and trips to Aruba with Babs. Although his roots were grounded in the Brookfields, he didn’t hesitate from an adventure. For his 50th birthday he rode his bicycle from California to Massachusetts and came home with a burly beard and amazing stories from the road. In 2000, he set out with a group of friends to see a game at all Major League Baseball stadiums and they reached this goal in 2011 finishing with Fenway Park. He enjoyed the simple pleasures too, never without a good book and always up for a Coney Island hot dog or blueberry ice cream from Janine’s Frostee. He was active in the community as a trustee of the Merrick Public library for many years and worked on the Brookfield Citizen. He was member of the First Congregational Church in West Brookfield.
Doug’s family would like to thank Cedarbrook Village in Ware and The Overlook in Charlton for their support, compassion and kindness. Although there were many health setbacks over the past ten years, he never lost his love of family, sense of humor or faith in God.
A Funeral Service for Doug will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10AM, in the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield, 36 North Main St., in West Brookfield, followed by burial in the Brookfield Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday evening, March 31, from 5 to 7PM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Merrick Public Library, P.O. Box 528, Brookfield, MA 01506.
An online guestbook is available at varnumfuneralhome.com
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