Ronald F. Martin, 78, of West Hartford, CT, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many, passed away peacefully, Friday, March 13, 2015 at his home in Florida. Ronald was born on April 2, 1936 in Fort Kent, Maine, the son of Antonio and Leone (Desjardins) Martin. He graduated from Fort Kent High School in 1955 and attended Husson College where he studied business. Ronald moved to Connecticut and he married Paula Cecile Dumas in 1961. Ronald, together with his wife Paula, was self-employed as the owner of a real estate brokerage. Although he officially retired in 1987 when they sold their business, Ronald continued to deal in real estate as a property owner. Always ready with a hammer and other tools, Ronald loved to extend a helping hand to his family and friends, and always had projects on the go. Ronald was a communicant of St. Helena Church since its creation in 1966. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus; a longtime member of Franam and French Club of Hartford; and served for 2 years with the Maine National Guard. Ronald enjoyed reading, swimming, playing cards and ping pong. Most of all, “Pepere” enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially at Eagle Lake, Maine, where he and Paula spent their summers. Ronald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Paula (Dumas) Martin; three daughters, Connie Kearins and her husband Mark of Norfolk, MA, Linda Regius and her husband Richard of Farmington, CT, and Gail Thannhauser of Melbourne, Australia; eight grandchildren, Richard, Michelle, Saskia, James, Patricia, Rachelle, Katherine and Cameron; his siblings, Doris (Reno) Ouellete, Rosaire (Claire-deceased) Martin, Roger (Carole) Martin, Dolores (Larry) Dumont, Norman (Janet) Martin, and Joel Martin; his sisters-in-law, Yvette Desjardins, Nanette Lavasseur, Ghislaine (Simon) Perreault, Diane Dumas, and Louise Dumas Brochu; his cherished nieces and nephews; and his many cousins, many of whom he considered his friends. A Memorial Service will be celebrated at the Holy Family Monastery, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, on Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 pm. A private burial will be held at a later date. Family and friends may pay their respects to the family on Friday, April 3, from 4-8pm at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ronald's name to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Attn: Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston MA 02116 (Sarcoma Cancer Research) or Holy Family Monastery-Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT, 06107. His family would like to extend their upmost gratitude for the encouragement and love from family and friends expressed during the past year during his battle with cancer. Ronald will be most remembered for his kindness and generosity. Ronald was very much at peace about dying, grateful for his family and friends on Earth, and was eager to join his loved ones in Eternity. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.