Jesse M. Martin

Jesse M. Martin, age 77, of Petersburg, WV passed away on Sunday May 5, 2024 at Winchester Medical Center, Winchester, Virginia.

Born on April 6, 1947 in Portland, Maine, Jesse was the 2nd of 5 children born to Louis “Woody” Martin and Mary L. Johnson Martin. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Martin and their infant son Jeremy, his nephew Mark Boulos, his older sister, Pat Boulos, and his youngest brother, Jon Martin. Jesse is survived by his wife, Rachel Martin, his daughter, Emma Alberto (Lu), his son, Isaac Martin (Michelle), his sister, Mary Jo Martin (Stephen),  his  brother, Kevin Martin (Deb), his 3 beloved grandchildren: Owen, Luigi and Amelia, as well as nieces and nephews.  

Jesse was raised in Portland, Maine where he attended Cheverus High School, and shared countless, story-worthy adventures with his best friend, Paul M.  At 17, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and completed 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. He later attended the University of Southern Maine, where he studied, and fell in love with art, theater, and literature. 

Jesse’s professional career started as a counselor at Portland’s Little Brothers program for troubled youth. He went on to manage programs, write grants, help develop vocational programs (eg: Clean Sweep), and help run an agency serving intellectually and developmentally disabled adults (Motivational Services). 

In the early 90’s Jesse and his wife, Rachel, started a family and moved to the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, where Jesse eagerly jumped into cattle farming, grape growing and wood working. Jesse was an avid hiker, reader, and lover of art and poetry. But his greatest joy was being “Poppy” to his 3 adoring grandchildren. He was the sayer of sayings and the keeper of memories and will be deeply missed. 

Jesse did not wish to have a public service but condolences may be left at www.schaefferfuneralhome.com

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