Arthur Martens

Arthur Martens, age 91, of Woodbury, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2012, at Waterbury Hospital.

Mr. Martens, the only child of Jules and Alvina Martens, was born in 1921 and raised in Yonkers, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army in Panama and Europe during World War II. Arthur studied accounting at New York University, married in 1956 and moved with his family to Woodbury in 1968. He worked as comptroller and later a consultant for the Heritage Development Corporation until fully retiring in 2008.

An avid environmentalist, Arthur chose to raise his family in the wooded acres of northern Woodbury. He instilled in his children a love of nature and a joy in living every day. He took them on many walks in the woods, camping trips, bicycle rides, canoe rides, and sailing trips. He was an early adopter of recycling, organic gardening, and healthy eating. Always active and full of energy, he took walks nearly every day until the end of his life.

Arthur was a natural magnet for kids and dogs, and he was a devoted father and grandfather. He loved to gather his family together as often as possible so he could ham it up during the birthday song and beat everyone at cards. He was the permanent cheering section in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.

Arthur was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Joan. He is survived by his daughter, Betsy (Martens) Blodgett, son-in-law Ed Blodgett, and their children, Lindsay, Eric and Emily; his son, Craig Martens, and his daughters, Chelsea and Brittany; and his daughter, Heather, son-in-law, David Morse, and their daughters, Anna and Julia. He also leaves two nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Mattatuck Unitarian Universalist Society, 122 S. Pomperaug Ave., Woodbury, on Saturday, July 28, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Woodbury Ambulance Association, Quassuk Road, Woodbury, CT 06798.

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