Leo E. Martel, 96, passed away peacefully, embraced by the caring love of his family, on December 30, 2018. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Helen (Savastano) of 71 years. Born on December 15, 1922, he was the son of Arthur J. and Marie Anne (Desrosier) Martel. He lived in Rhode Island all of his life.
He was a US Navy World War II veteran, serving in the European and Pacific Theaters; he was the recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation presented in the White House by President Harry Truman. He also served in the Korean War. A highlight of his life was to participate in Honor Flight Tango on September 15, 2018 to Washington, DC in appreciation of his service.
Prior to retirement Leo was founder and owner of the Seaboard Flour Corporation in Lincoln. Actively involved as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, he was a Life Member and Past Grand Knight in Lincoln Council #4005, as well as a Life Member and Past Faithful Navigator at the Delaney Assembly. He also served as Vice Commander in the Lefebvre VFW Post 1271 in Central Falls.
Leo cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren and great-children; he also enjoyed golfing, bowling and traveling. He was avid sports enthusiast, and a loyal fan of the Patriots, Celtics and Red Sox.
He is survived by his son Ronald Martel and his wife Candace of Bellingham, MA and his daughter, Susan (Susha) Hien of St. Martin, French West Indies. He also leaves five grandchildren: Charles Hien and his wife Katie of Lincoln, RI, Kara Nichols and her husband Brian of Barrington, RI, Trevor Martel of Denver, CO, and Cullen and Taryn Martel of Bellingham, MA. He leaves two great grandchildren: Haley Hien of Lincoln, RI and Morgan Nichols of Barrington, RI. He is survived by 3 sisters: Madeleine Pereira, Lillian Bradley, Louise Green and her husband Jerry, and one brother: Raymond Martel and his wife Beverly. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Arthur C., Maurice and Gilbert Martel, and his sisters Doris Migneault, Rachel O’Brien and Annette Thibodeau.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Keefe Funeral Home located at Five Higginson Avenue, Lincoln, RI at 8:30 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2019. A military funeral and Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Blaise Church, 1158 South Main Street, Bellingham, MA at 11:00 AM. Internment will immediately follow in Resurrection Cemetery, 259 West Wrentham Road in Cumberland, RI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Leo’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Church, 301 Front Street, Lincoln, RI 02865.