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

Born in Natick, MA, 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, 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, MA, 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, MA, 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, MA, 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, ME, 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, ME; 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 MA; sister Amy Diaz and husband Luis Diaz of New Port Ritchey, FL; brother Bobby Queiros and wife Vicky Queiros of Holden MA ; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held July 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral service and reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southern Maine Parkinson Foundation, 4 Winding Way, Scarborough, ME 04074