Plaistow - Richard P. Martel, age 71, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday May 24, 2023.

Fondly known as Rick to loved ones, friends and colleagues, he was the loving father of three children, Adam R. Martel, Cortney A. Flint and Taylor L. Nganga.

Born in Ipswich on November 26, 1951, he was one of the three children of the late Paul R. and Marion (Dorey) Martel. Rick was a graduate of Ipswich High School, Class of 1970 and a proud member of the school's football and wrestling teams. An avid horse enthusiast, Rick manned local horse farms throughout college paying his way through Salem State University earning a dual Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and English. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Management and continued a lifelong pursuit of education with his most recent coursework taking place at Harvard University. Rick was an entrepreneur and used his education to co-found a computer company along with serving as a faculty member at numerous colleges and universities throughout the North Shore and Boston. He was active in local politics and campaigned for various politicians which suited him nicely given his bubbly and outgoing personality. To all who knew him, Rick was a charmer. He could deliver the punch line of a joke without skipping a beat and he was renowned for gifting flowers to his clients and high school classmates just to see them smile.

Rick was a devoted father and a loving grandfather to his children and grandchildren with whom he enjoyed spending as much time with as possible. He was an avid sports fan and a die-hard Patriots enthusiast, attending pre-season games and when the chance arose, the Superbowl. He raised and raced pigeons for most of his life and could talk for hours about the sport. Most recently, Rick began educating the youth by delivering seminars on pigeons to children who visited the Topsfield Fair.

In addition to his three children and 10 grandchildren, he is also survived by a brother, Rob Martel and his former spouse, Debra L. (Fournier). He was the brother of the late Debra Martel Ward.

His funeral will be held Thursday 9 am from the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich with the celebration of a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Church, 1 Pineswamp Rd., Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcome. Visiting hours will be offered Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. To send a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com