Francis (Sandy) Alden Martin passed away on January 19, 2015, at the age of 74 in Windham, Maine.
He was born on November 17, 1940, in Boston to Francis and Ann Martin. Eight years later they moved to Vermont and opened Tucker Hill Lodge in Fayston. The youngest of four (sister Nancy and brothers Tom and Peter), Sandy's upbringing in the ski community laid the foundation for a full and active life.
Sandy graduated from Waitsfield High School in 1959 and moved to Connecticut. He married Sandra with whom he had two children, Bethany and Jim. He got training in composites and took on successively challenging jobs putting this training to use. He moved to Maine in 1968, where he operated the RV and Marine retail store in the early 1970s. He worked for Lincoln Canoe in the early and mid-1960s, from 1977 until the mid-1980s, and then bought the company out of bankruptcy in 1989.
With his second wife, the late Nancy Martin, at his side, Sandy grew Lincoln to become the second oldest canoe and kayak company in the U.S. In 2014, his book, Paddling Against the Tide, was published, chronicling the company's evolution. Described as "a story of following the American dream despite all odds," Sandy's success with Lincoln and the book was a life dream fulfilled. Current co-owners of Lincoln share, "For your wealth of contributions over the years. For the vision and passion for a sport you loved. For many interesting conversations. For carving a place in the paddling industry. For sharing your legacy with us. We thank. Sandy was the definition of a true entrepreneur. [We] respected his ingenuity, his love for paddling and integrity."
Sandy was a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club for 25 years, collecting more than five Studebakers. He also collected and loved basset hounds, adopting his last puppy two days before he died. Staying true to his skiing roots and compassion for people, Sandy spent 21 years as a Maine adaptive ski instructor at Sunday River, teaching and helping handicapped skiers navigate the slopes. Over a 20-year period, he donated 14 kayaks for raffles to raise money for Maine adaptive skiing.
Fundamental to his success, Sandy had an old-school practicality about getting things done, a strong work ethic and a fascination with learning from the world around him. Every person was a story, every conversation an adventure. Until close to his final days, he stayed active in the outdoors, paddling, skiing and walking, and he enjoyed looking at wildlife and birch trees in his backyard with his partner, Marcia Guay.
Sandy's second book about his Vermont family's ski lodge, 10 chapters in the making, will be finished by his brother Tom and credited to Sandy. He will be missed and leaves behind a legacy inspiring those who knew him.
Sandy is survived by his partner, Marcia Guay; daughter, Bethany and husband Arne Moilan of Minut, North Dakota, Bethany's daughter Naomi Martin of California; Sandy's son, Jim and wife Martha Martin and daughter Rebekah of Durham, and Jim's second daughter, Sarah Orluck and husband Tom of Mandan, North Dakota; Sandy's remaining brother, Tom and his wife Nancy Corwin Martin from Hyde Park, VT; several nieces and nephews; and Sandy's puppy, Lucy.
Burial services will be in Fayston, VT, in the spring.
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