Martin B. Watts

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Martin B. Watts, 66, of Otisfield, Maine, formerly of Cape Elizabeth, died Tuesday morning, May 15, due to complications from diabetes. He was 66.

Martin was born in Shepperton, England, on October 23, 1945, and immigrated to Maine with his parents, John and Joyce Watts, in 1952. He graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1963. Following high school, Martin attended the University of Maine and graduated as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi collegiate honor society. He also completed postgraduate studies, earning two masters degrees.

In 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Carlyn Cleaves, and they moved to Cape Elizabeth. Martin taught at the Cape Elizabeth Middle School for 32 years, working with gifted and talented students in English, logic, advanced math, and computer science. In 1999, he retired from teaching and moved with his wife, Carlyn, to the shores of Saturday Pond in Otisfield into their dream log home that he designed himself.

Martin was passionate about his family, education, feeding the hungry, and Seeds of Peace International Camp on Pleasant Lake in Otisfield. Many years ago, along with his father-in-law, Ken Cleaves, Martin founded the St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen in Portland and after moving to Otisfield, continued his community service by cooking at the Norway Community Lunch program.

For many years, Martin was a dedicated volunteer at Seeds of Peace welcoming Delegate Leaders from around the world into his home each summer which they fondly called the “party at Marty’s.”

Martin was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carlyn Cleaves Watts, of Otisfield; a son, Darren, and his wife Diane, of Astoria, N.Y.; a daughter, Jodi Roma, and her husband, Troy, and five grandchildren (Trevor, Adelaide, Owen, Noah, and Oliver), all of Raymond; a brother, Paul, and his wife, Diane, of Vineyard Haven; and many nieces and nephews who were sure their Uncle Martin could fix anything! Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

A memorial service was held on Friday, May 18, at Christ Episcopal Church in Norway, Maine. Interment with a graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth on Thursday, May 24, at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Seeds of Peace, 370 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2103, New York, NY 10017; or to your local food pantry or soup kitchen.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris, Maine.