Robert F. Martin

Robert F. Martin Jr.1962-2015SPRINGFIELD- Robert "Bobby" Francis Martin Jr., 52 of Springfield, Massachusetts passed away on February 27, 2015, peacefully at home surrounded by his family and loved ones. Born in Holyoke on June 20, 1962 Bobby was raised in Springfield and Chicopee.  At the tender age of 16, Bobby obtained employment at Delmonti Bridge Café where his interest for cooking flourished. This passion quickly brought Bobby up the ranks from his original position of dishwasher and prep cook to head chef and manager throughout his 20 plus years of loyal employment with the restaurant. Bobby graduated from Chicopee High school in 1980. He also attended two years at Northfield Upper Bound with William Jebb and continued his education for one year at Greenfield community college where he took up drama as an extracurricular activity, where he discovered his interest in the performing arts.  Bobby had a passion for performing on stage and had the talent for portraying other characters numerous characters. He thrived on the fact that he could take himself out of his life and become someone entirely different. He attended the Ultrasound Diagnostic School and worked hard to obtain his medical assistant certificate. During this course Bobby found his new passion in life, he wanted to help people. He decided to attend college later on because he was adamant about helping others. He was accepted into STCC and was working towards gaining his nursing degree before he learned he had cancer. Even then he did not give up; he continued attending school until he could not anymore. Bobby was a very passionate person and was known for never giving up regardless of how difficult situations became. Bobby leaves behind his mother Priscilla "Pat" (Foisy) Martin, his younger sister Toni Ann Beaulieu and brother in law Glen, his brother Gary Martin and sister in law Julie, three stepbrothers; Dennis, Mark and John Martin; a stepsister Celina Gervasio; and a close family friend, Sr. Connie Cawley of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Springfield. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bobby is predeceased by his father Robert F. Martin Sr. who passed in 2013, his younger brother James H. Martin Sr., 33, in 1999, an older brother, William R. Martin, 43, who passed in 2003. He was also predeceased by his uncle Adrian M. Bratcher in 2003, and also his favorite Aunt Chloe Hitch in 2013. We want to thank Beacon Hospice for the compassionate care that he received while he was at home. Our family could not have asked for any better care than what he received. He was able to pass peacefully at home because of those that came to help. Bobby had the ability to joke about anything, from medical issues, to history, sports, cooking, and cars. He never ceased to amaze anyone. Bobby was an old soul living in the wrong era, his love of reading; Westerns in particular proved that he was born in the wrong time period. He was an extremely intelligent man who knew a lot of information on almost any subject that was brought up. Bobby was a down to earth person and loved to talk about everything and anything, regardless of the subject.  He was confident, cocky and never tried to hurt anyone and would help anyone that would ask, or not ask, for help. He was funny to the point of being hilarious. You could not see Bobby and leave without smiling or chuckling. He was able to act like a clown but also knew when to act serious. Bobby, later on in life, found a hobby; coin collecting. He had a vast and varied collection and while he loved his sought after collection he had no qualms about using any of the coins to help his mother when times got tough. He did not have it in him to resent helping because of the love he had for his mother. His love for his mother rivaled the greatest love that most would never even begin to understand.  Bobby was the type of person who loved everyone and would give second chances to any individuals who did him wrong. He had learned how to forgive and continued on with his life because he realized life is too short to dwell on anything. When he realized that his dream of becoming an RN was not a possibility, he decided to take a different path focus on psychiatry. He wanted to be able to help people that needed help mentally and help them understand what went wrong, that they could not change what was meant to be, and to help guide them on a more peaceful path. Bobby was never afraid to be himself and his actions were always done with others in mind. He always did a great service to everyone. The one thing that Bobby said he would always regret was not settling down, getting married, and having a child. He loved children and children loved him. He was a big kid at heart and that is why children loved being around him. While he did not have his own child, he did have great nephews and nieces that he treated almost as if they were his children. Bobby also loved comic books and had a largecollection of them. He truly was a kid at heart and was not afraid to show it. Bobby was able to pass away at home surrounded by his loved ones because of the help he received from Beacon Hospice and his loving family members , his mother, his sister, Toni, his nephew, Stevie, and Heather. Steven (as Bobby called him Stevie) helped Bobby lighten the load mentally and was always joking around with him. They became very close in the past six months and Bobby loved that he was able to treat him almost like a son and have a relationship with Steven that made him laugh and smile. His mother, Pat Martin, will always love him and Bobby was proud to call his mother his best friend. They had a unique and loving relationship that rivaled the closest of friendships. We will miss this courageous man more than you will ever know. Fly high Bobby, you have gained your wings. A funeral home service will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main St. Indian Orchard. Burial will be private. Bobby's family will receive relatives and friends at the visitation prior to the service from 4-7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to assist the Martin family with funeral cost to the Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main St. Indian Orchard, MA 01151.  Ratell Funeral Home(413)543-3836