OBITUARY: David Raymond Martel, 76

Below is an obituary from Solimine Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — David Raymond Martel, age 76, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a hard-fought battle with Multiple Myeloma.  He was the beloved husband of Heather A. Martel, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage.  Heather was his attentive caregiver and was by his side every step of the way. He was the son of the late Raymond D. and Simone M. (Belliveau) Martel and had lived in Lynn for the greater part of his life.  Dave was a graduate of St. Jean Baptiste High School in Lynn and received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Dave proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1972. He worked for Air Force Intelligence and was stationed in England and Italy.  He had worked as an electrical engineer for Agfa/Compugraphic in Wilmington for many years until his retirement.  Dave loved technology and loved to show his family and friends his latest gadgets, apps and computer programs.  He enjoyed going for rides to nowhere in particular, and loved to try new restaurants, especially when he found a good deal.  Dave loved music and played the organ and guitar.

Dave’s family and friends were the center of his life.  He cherished the time he got to spend with them.  His daughter meant the world to him, and she will always be his little girl. He found joy in going to dinner and playing cards with Heather and their friends, weekly lunch dates with his two granddaughters, or frequent calls and texts with his siblings.  Little moments with the people he loved were what made him happiest.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease and joke with people.  Everyone who met him was drawn to him because of his kind personality and gentle disposition.  He had the kindest heart, treated everyone with respect, and inspired others to do the same.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Hematology/Oncology department for the tremendous and compassionate care given to Dave and his family over the past several weeks.

In addition to his loving wife Heather, he is survived by his daughter, Lisa Smith and her husband Jeffrey; his beloved granddaughters, Julia and Katelyn Smith, all of Peabody; his siblings, Michelle Francis and her husband Wallace, of Revere, Paul Martel and his wife Deborah of Newburyport, Annette Hunter and her husband Thomas of Largo, FL, and Louise Kozak and her husband Michael of Midlothian, VA; his step-grandchildren, Robin and Toni Guanci, as well as several nieces and nephews and many close friends.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 9AM from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 426 Broadway (Rt 129), Lynn, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10AM in St. Ann’s Church, Peabody.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 4-7PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Livestrong program at the Andover YMCA, a program that Dave participated in and enjoyed immensely. Donations may be made through this link https://p2p.onecause.com/mvymca25/team/and-2  Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com.