THOMAS J. “TOM” MARTIN III

THOMAS J. “TOM” MARTIN III. –   of Woburn and Gloucester, passed away suddenly, November 15th at the age of eighty-three. The beloved husband of Marcia (Lux) Martin, he was eighty three years of age.  Cherished Dad of Kimberly A. Martin of Woburn, Stephanie L. Martin of GA, Andrea Chute, her husband Charles of Woburn and the late Jill E. Martin.  Dear brother of the late William Martin and Anne Connolly.  Devoted grandfather of Matthew and Tyler Berry, Emma and Isabella Zuniga Martin,  Connor,  Delaney and Gavin Chute.  Tom is also survived by loving cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of many dear friends.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a  Funeral Mass that will be Celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn on Tuesday, November 21st, at 11:30 a.m.  Internment is private. Remembrances may be made in honor of Tom, to the Winning Home Inc., P.O.  Box 1308, Concord, MA,  01742.

Thomas “Tom” James Martin III was born to his loving parents, Adaline and Tom, on May 6, 1940. Tom joined his big sister Anne in their Woburn, Massachusetts, home and welcomed his little brother Bill not long after. Compared to many Irish Catholics at the time, they were a little family, but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in love and laughter.

Tom graduated from Woburn High School before earning a degree in Finance and Insurance from Northeastern University. After college he returned to Woburn to join his dad as the third generation in the family’s home heating business. Tom would succeed his dad and run the successful business until his retirement.

Tom spent the summers of his youth in Essex and Gloucester where at the young age of 15 he met the girl, Patty Dennen, who would become his wife. He and Patty married soon after they graduated from college when they settled in Woburn. Not longafter that they welcomed three beautiful daughters to their family, Kim, Jill and Lee. Tom and Patty shared 24 years together before Patty succumbed to her diabetes.

Tom always said he was blessed to be loved by two women during his life.

The last thirty years Tom was married to his second love, Marcia Lux, with whom he shared the joys of extensive travel, life-long friendships, and so many wonderful memories. Through Marcia, Tom gained an additional daughter, Andrea. It was during these years that Tom and Marcia welcomed seven grandchildren to the family: Matthew and Tyler; Connor, Delaney and Gavin; Emma and Isabella. Tom was a proud grandfather, going by the monikers Gampy and Bampy, while supporting his grandchildren as often as possible, attending sporting events, birthdays, graduations, and even a “quinceañera.”

Tom’s home, with both Patty and Marcia, was always a welcoming place. To Tom, the more the merrier. Everything was “super,” even on his worst days. Life was to be lived. And if you were a bartender or waitress waiting on Tom, you knew better than to be “shy” while pouring a glass of red wine.

Aside from his family and business, Tom is perhaps best known in Woburn for his years of selfless service to the community.

Tom was a long-time member and past president of Kiwanis, leading its biggest fundraiser, the annual Rubber Ducky Race, for countless years. As thousands of rubber duckies floated down Horn Pond in Woburn, Tom could be seen on the shoreline smiling broadly, enjoying every minute.

Given his favorite pastime was playing golf, its no wonder Tom was a fixture at the Bass Rocks Golf Club where he served a term as president. To all who have celebrated your joyous weddings there, you have Tom to thank for overseeing the complete redesign of the club house.

Tom played golf with four buddies for over twenty years. The foursome “just had” to be the first to tee off in the morning, God forbid anyone slow them down. Whenever a member moved on, Tom was charged with inviting a new member to join. Good luck replacing Tom, guys. He’ll be watching.

Tom was perhaps most proud of his work on the Winning Farm Inc board of directors, where he served for 52 years. The non-profit charitable organization provides an array of services to disadvantaged children and families in and around Woburn, Winchester, and Lexington. Joining in 1969, Tom’s service on the board included 15 years as president.

Family. Friends. Community. Those were Tom’s priorities. They all benefitted from his time, energy, resources, kindness, and love. Their needs were always more important than his own. Giving came second nature to this man who in turn felt so blessed to be a part of it all.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a  Funeral Mass that will be Celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn on Tuesday, November 21st, at 11:30 a.m.  Internment is private. Remembrances may be made in honor of Tom, to the Winning Home Inc., P.O.  Box 1308, Concord, MA,  01174.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a  Funeral Mass that will be Celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn on Tuesday, November 21st, at 11:30 a.m.  Internment is private. Remembrances may be made in honor of Tom, to the Winning Home Inc., P.O.  Box 1308, Concord, MA,  01174.