Frank Donald Martell Sr.
July 8, 1931 - December 7, 2009
On Monday - December 7, 2009 I lost one of the most important people in my life. My Pop-Pop Frank Donald Martell passed away at the age of 78 after a long fought battle with Cancer. You would think knowing for months that he was falling sicker and sicker would make his passing a little easier because you could prepare for it. The truth is.......that is not true at all. I talked to my Aunt Amy on Sunday, December 6, and learned that his health was failing quickly and they only gave him hours to live. I went into our living room and tried to grasp the thought that within days the world would be without a wonderful man. I bet I cried on and off for hours. I was able to get a hold of my Dad in Dubai, and spoke to him a bit. He was making plans with my Step-Mom & little sister & brother to fly back to the States.
I was at work when I got the call of Pop-Pop's passing. He passed away around 11am EST surrounded by family. I went into one of the conference rooms so I could compose myself and try to just take a breath. I am happy he was surrounded by my family. From what I was told he died peacefully & even had a chance to talk to Lorie & My Dad overseas before he died.
Pop-Pop meant so much to me for so many reasons. He MADE himself a part of the lives of my brothers & sisters. He taught me a lot about music and encouraged me to stick with the flute when I started playing in 3rd grade. He would also tell me how important is was to learn about the history of our country and no matter what you face - you must work hard, and never give up. I know when I picked Finance as my major in College, he had his doubts that it was the best path for me as math was never a strong point of mine, but I always liked it. I remember him telling me how he was beyond proud when I graduated in 2002, and already had a job lined up. Making him proud was one of the best feelings I have ever had.
Pop-Pop LOVED dogs. Grandma always joked he treated the dogs better than he would treat her. They were surrounded by dogs all of their lives. From the time I was little I remember Pug 1 (pretty sure there was also a Pug 2, Laddy, Duchess, Dutch and now Minnie. I can tell you those dogs might have been the most musical dogs to ever live, as Pop-Pop would always have the music blaring and the dogs surrounding him. Minnie is with Grandma now, and from what I hear follows her around constantly. I am glad she had a companion in Minnie. My Grandparents were always blessed with very well behaved dogs (unlike myself who has more dogs than we know what to do with ;)
I gave my second daughter Avery the middle name Frances after him. I wanted him to know how much he meant to me, and all the support he has given me over the years was more than I could EVER thank him for. I was about 36 weeks pregnant with Avery when we got the call that his Cancer was back and very aggressive. The funny thing is - all over my grandparents house it says Francis Martell on all his documents (his college degree, his awards & achievements... you name it). My Dad told me he was NEVER Francis... his given birth name is Frank. My Pop-Pop thought his given name was Francis for years so he had that on all his documents. I still find that story so funny :).
Anyway.. I am working on closure as I was not able to attend his funeral. I have good days and bad. Kind goes in and out like a wave on the ocean. I should count my blessings I was 29 before I lost any family members, but this year has been a hard one on my family as I lost my Mom's Dad March 4, my cousin Michael Curtis in November, and then the passing of my Pop-Pop just a few weeks ago. I don't really pray that I find peace at this time - I pray more for my Grandma. She just lost the love of her life, and husband of 54 years. She needs more prayers and thoughts than anyone right now followed by my Dad & his brothers Chris, Skeeter (Frank Jr.) & Brad.
I talked to my Grandma on Christmas day for about an hour and a half. I would have given the world to just have been in Savannah and given her a big hug. She is going to have some rough days, weeks & months ahead and I wish I could be there or do something to ease her pain.
Maybe the fact I typed all this out will help with some closure. I have been listening to a lot of James Taylor, as it was one of Pop-Pop's favorites, as well as one of mine. EVERYTIME I hear "Steamroller" for the rest of my life I will think of him, and know he is looking down watching over me surrounded by all his dogs that he loved so much and still taking care of his family.
-I love you Pop-Pop, you were a GREAT man, and I will miss you everyday.
