Martin B. Watts

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Martin B. Watts

OTISFIELD — Martin B. Watts, 66, of Otisfield, formerly of Cape Elizabeth, died Tuesday morning, May 15, 2012 due to complications from diabetes. He 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, he 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 MA degrees.

In 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Carlyn Cleaves, and they moved to Cape Elizabeth. He 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.

He 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, he 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, he 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.”

Mr. Watts 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, NY; a daughter, Jodi Roma, and her husband, Troy, and five grandchildren, Trevor, Adelaide, Owen, Noah and Oliver; a brother, Paul, and his wife, Diane, of Martha’s Vineyard and many nieces and nephews who were sure their Uncle Martin could fix anything!

A memorial service was held at the Christ Episcopal Church, 35 Paris Street, Norway. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth. 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. On-line condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.