Michael Arthur Martin, 59, of Dummerston and formerly of Waterbury, passed away in Brattleboro on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. Born in Montpelier on April 22, 1952, he was the son of the late Wayland and Mary A. (Canale) Martin. On October 29, 2010, he married the former Jennifer Dusenbery in Dummerston.
Michael grew up in Waterbury and was a 1970 graduate of Harwood Union High School in Duxbury. He continued his education at Johnson State College and the College of Arts, Media and Design at Northeastern University in Boston.
Michael started his working career with Overlake Distributors in Burlington and Florida and then founded his own electronics business in Barre, named Great Electronics. Moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Michael started a journey that led him to studying alternative medicine at the Ayurvedic Institute from which he graduated with his degree in Ayurvedic medicine. The pursuit of well-being, natural health and foods led Michael to not only start his own Ayurvedic medicine practice but also work for various natural food companies such as Wild Oats Natural Foods, Sun Flower, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Tree of Life, which had him traveling extensively throughout the United States. Moving to the Brattleboro area five years ago, he became the manager for the Brattleboro Food Co-op, a job that he loved very much and enjoyed being part of its growth and success.
Michael’s memberships included the Free and Accepted Masons and the Natural Grocery Co. Association where he was very active in policies, and in his leisure time, enjoyed brewing beer, cooking, raising chickens, riding his motorcycle, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hunting and spending time with his best friend Barry at his camp on Miller Pond in Groton.
Those who knew Michael felt his passion for his work, his family and his friends. Meeting the true love of his life, Jennifer, has been the greatest gift. The life they shared brought him contentment, love and peace and it was evident that he enjoyed every minute.
Michael is survived by his wife Jennifer Martin of Dummerston; his children Trinity Nasca of Buffalo, NY, Ella Martin of Burlington, Leah Martin of St. Albans, Jesse Martin of Cottonwood, AZ, Corporal Rory Martin USMC, of Lake Mary, FL, and Keegan Martin of Lake Nary, FL; three grandchildren, Destiny and Desiree Turner and Amelia Martin; his stepchildren Sam, Mitchell and Evelyn Dusenbery, all of Dummerston, Abrie Brutsche of Boulder, CO, and Zach Brutsche of Sedona, AZ; two sisters, JoAnn Berno and her husband Randy of Duxbury and Cathy Fisk and her husband Shane of Duxbury; three nieces, Elizabeth Berno, Erin Wheeler and Ashley Fisk; two nephews, Martin Berno and Tyler Fisk; as well as his best friend Barry McGinnes of West Lebanon, NH.
A celebration of Michael’s Life was held from the Wesley United Methodist Church, 56 South Main Street, Waterbury, on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at 11 a.m. with a reception following in the church dining room. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waterbury Area Food Shelf, 57 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676 or to the Michael Martin Memorial Fund, c/o of the Brattleboro Savings and Loan, 221 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send online condolences please visit us at www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
