George Benedict Martin, 67, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot and a former Air Force fighter pilot, died on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at his home in Peachtree City, Georgia. 

George grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was born to George and Mary (Dineen) Martin on Jan. 13, 1954, in Hampton, Virginia. The Martin family lived at 20 Johnson Street for many years. After graduating from Newburyport High School in 1971, George went to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs to become a pilot. He graduated in 1975 and spent 10 years as an officer in the Air Force flying fighter jets, including the F-106 Delta Dart. He also flew the F-106 for the Otis Air National Guard on Cape Cod. George joined Delta Air Lines in 1985, where he spent 34 years flying Boeing jets to many cities around the world, finally retiring in 2019.

George and his wife Lisa were married on May 29, 1976 in Colorado Springs. Two of their three children were born in Falmouth with their youngest born in Newburyport. After his military career, the family lived in Falmouth and in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire., moving to Georgia in 1998. George enjoyed spending time with his family, running, reading, and playing chess. The classic film, The Wizard of Oz, was a personal favorite of his and he referred to it often in his life. He danced the father-daughter dance at the weddings of each of his daughters to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Always a New Englander at heart, he swam in the unheated neighborhood pool in Georgia well into November as he never found the water to be as cold as the Atlantic Ocean of his youth.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Martin of Peachtree City, Georgia; son, Michael Martin of Indianapolis, Indiana; two daughters, Theresa Andriano and her husband Gregg of Pasadena, Maryland, and April McElrath and her husband Jason of Cupertino, California; two brothers, J. Michael Martin of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jack Martin of Provincetown, Massachusetts; four sisters, Maureen Madden Smolski of Newburyport, Massachusetts, Catherine Spinazola and her husband Joseph of Medway, Massachusetts, Mary Rumore and her husband Mark of Goffstown, New Hampshire, and Tara Tripp and her husband Kenneth of Amesbury, Massachusetts.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of George Martin to the Fayette Humane Society, Donation for Cats, through their website at fayettehumane.org/donate/ or by mailing a check to the Fayette Humane Society, PO Box 244, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214. Lisa and George supported the organization by fostering litters of kittens in their home.

The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home, Newburyport, Massachusetts, is assisting with arrangements. A graveside memorial service will be on Saturday August 14, 2021 held at 11:00 a.m. at the Rowley Burial Grounds, Main Street, Rowley, Massachusetts. Following the burial, and for those not able to attend the service, friends are invited to Maureen’s home at 6 Newhall Lane, Newburyport.

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com.

We will see Him and know Him as He knows himself
We will love Him as He loves himself
And we will be happy as He is happy for ever and ever
This is George´s reality know.

– Hernan Echaurren

So sad to hear about George's Last Flight. We'll cherish the memories of George fifty years ago during that first summer at US Air Force Academy in Barbarian Squadron and later as doolies together in Evil Eight Squadron. 75, Best alive!  Following graduation, we lucked out and ended up in the same pilot training class at Lubbock TX. My prayers and thoughts are with Lisa and family. God Bless you all!

– Perry Lamy

I remember George as one of the really good guys, a pleasure to be around. He was always smiling and looking on the bright side of things. It's sad to hear of his passing.

– Eric Newton

Like “Fig,” I was in Tiger 10 with George and recall fond memories of George, mostly his pranks. Ironically, our squadron rep, Rod Hennek, has been actively trying to locate George, along with his sidekick, David Hensley, living near Atlanta himself, and George was just a final approach away. Dave, if you read this, please contact Rod. We don’t want to lose you, too. Godspeed, George!

– Bill Buchta