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Paul Martino

Paul Martino, 66, of Old Saybrook and Sarasota, Florida, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, Beatles music, and his children playing piano on Nov. 25.

Paul grew up in Old Saybrook, and added the special qualities that were his own to the town’s vibrant nature: as owner of Araucana Furniture, he was appreciated for his knowledgeable, kind, generous, and ego-free manner. Son of Michel and Jeannine Martino, Paul grew up with his five siblings, many beloved cats, and countless friends, often found around the dinner table, cheering for the Red Sox, turning out classic sarcastic lines, playing in the family pool once they had cleaned it, and all-around Otter Cove.

He regularly visited a rural, Amish area of Pennsylvania with his first wife and stepdaughter, appreciating nature and agrarian values, as well as beautiful Florida. Initially, Paul opened the music store Up Your Alley, in the heydays of records. Then for many years, Paul partnered with his brother, Guy, in their painting business. A true man of the land, Paul went on to build his lovely home, full of wooden-paneled ceilings that every visitor admired, as well as create beautiful gardens, particularly known for their asparagus (May) and strawberry (June) output. Turkeys and groundhogs alike found safe harbor on the land but were kept out of the garden by carefully constructed fences.

Later in life, Paul and his wife Laura purchased a home in Sarasota, Florida, and regularly visited the West coast of Florida with their two children and their cousin, Jude, including Lido Beach, Paul’s happy place, and glorious Myakka River State Park and its bird and alligator-filled river. Along with Old Saybrook, Paul considered Sarasota with its gregarious neighbors, peaceful beach with boogie boarding waves, and stirring natural and cultural aspects, along with the incomparable Detwiler’s Farm Market, as one of the perfect places to be.

Paul was an attentive and kind-hearted father. He was very proud of his two children, Gordon, and Lucienne, for their academic achievements, but also for their kindness to people and animals and diverse interests such as piano playing, tennis and swimming. He told them so often so that they will remember in years to come. They shared laughs making Saturday morning pancakes together and playing ping-pong. With practice, Paul was catching up to Gordon! Recently, Paul had been teaching the children more of his delicious recipes, including tofu spinach pie and his coveted vegan chocolate cake.

Paul was loved and admired by his family and friends and his memory will be carefully preserved through stories, jokes, reminiscences about classic Paul sayings, favorite meals, and the garden cycle. Those conserving his memory will include his wife, Laura; their two children, Gordon and Lucienne; his five siblings: Michelle O’Rourke (Barry), Chris Martino, Jeannine Martino (John Marshall), Guy Martino (Kim) and Lisa Tisdale (John); his first wife, Katherine Allard; and stepdaughter Kalaisha Watrous, of Astoria, Oregon; along with his nieces and nephews: Michael, Shawn, Seth, Nathan, Garnet, Adam, Sam, Matthew, Isabel and Jude.

A spring Celebration of Life ceremony is planned. Donations can be made in Paul’s memory to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. The family wishes to thank the compassionate and skilled caretakers of Home Care Plus Community Healthcare and Hospice. The Swan Funeral Home of Old Saybrook is assisting the family with arrangements. Online tributes and condolences may be shared at www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com.

Mother Nature’s Son

(Lyrics and music by Paul McCartney and John Lennon)

Born a poor young country boy, Mother Nature’s son

All day long I’m sitting singing songs for everyone

Sit beside a mountain stream, see her waters rise

Listen to the pretty sound of music as she flies

Find me in my field of grass, Mother Nature’s son

Swaying daisies sing a lazy song beneath the sun

Wah, Mother Nature’s son