Friday, May 28, 2021
J. Normand Martin, aka Uncle Chips, was an easy read. It was written all over his face. His entire face smiled. You could look at any inch of it and see glee. He loved life. He loved people. He loved culture. He was all class. Lots of words come to mind (caring, compassionate, loyal, honest, dapper, dedicated, charitable, strong, artistic, noble, loving) but foremost is the word kind. He wanted anyone he came in contact with to feel extraordinarily special. The family compound at 58 Forest Avenue was such a thrill to visit for anyone lucky enough to enter through that side door leading to the kitchen. And everyone was welcome--at any time! When I was much younger and transitioning back to Maine after working out of state for many years it was a time of great adjustment for my young family. Our new jobs had staggered starting dates and we had a house to sell and new housing to line up, so we spent some time apart. The Martins took me in. That visit lasted three to four months. Living with Ann and Chips was a true blessing. I got a sense of what it was like being one of their five boys, living in that magical house. They were lucky. I was lucky to have had all that time with them and will never forget their love and kindness. I always thought Uncle Chips would be around forever. I think of the kindness and realize he is.
