F. Joseph Martins

CAPE ELIZABETH – F. Joseph Martins, 75, of Cape Elizabeth, retired retail industry manager and musician, artisan and sports enthusiast, passed away July 8, 2024, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, after a lengthy, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Natick, Mass., May 7, 1949, he was the son of the late Fernando Martins and Mary Alice (Mailhiot) Martins Queiros, and the husband of Nancy Creteau Martins of Cape Elizabeth.

Joe, who was known for his hard work and dedication, previously worked many years in loss prevention management at Neiman Marcus and at Jordan Marsh in Boston, Mass., where he and Nancy first met, and then in retail management at The Home Depot for 26 years prior to retirement. He and Nancy made their home in Newburyport, Mass. for many years before relocating to Maine in 2013.

He was a member and volunteer trainer at Rock Steady Boxing in Portland, led by Mimi, whom he attributed gave him the strength to fight back Parkinson’s for as long as he did. He was also a member of the Spurwink Rod and Gun Club, and a former member of Oldtown Country Club in Newbury, Mass., where he enjoyed boating, kayaking, windsurfing, and fishing for Saltwater striped bass from the sandbars in Plum Island Sound.

In Joe’s early years, he was a guitarist of the band Henchmens in Natick, Mass., where they won several Battle of the Bands competitions, and he continued to play guitar throughout his life. In later years, he applied his talents to restoring antique caned chairs, and for a short time, making beautiful custom copper lanterns that several family members now enjoy at their homes.

As an avid recreational fisherman, Joe thoroughly enjoyed catching Large Mouth bass at Little Ossipee in Waterboro, where he taught his daughter to fish, and where he and his family vacationed each summer for many years.

Joe was a devoted Boston sports fan who never gave up on the Red Sox and who finally got to see a Boston World Series Championship.

Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy Creteau Martins of Cape Elizabeth; daughter, Kim Smith and husband Chris Smith, and grandson Henry Smith, of Saco; daughter, Laine Handwerger and husband Neil Handwerger of Stowe, Vt.; grandson, Oliver Ogden and granddaughter, Teagan Ogden; daughter, Bryce Breton and husband Brice Simon, and grandson, MacKay Breton of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; brother, Fred Martins and wife Barrie Martins of Winchendon, Mass.; sister, Amy Diaz and husband Luis Diaz of New Port Ritchey, Fla., brother, Bobby Queiros and wife Vicky Queiros of Holden Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a funeral service at 11 a.m. followed by a reception, Thursday, July 18 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to

Southern Maine

Parkinson Foundation,

4 Winding Way,

Scarborough, ME 04074