MARTEL, Charles A.M.

Charles A.M. Martel, 96, of Phoenix, passed away June 30, 2002. Charles was born in France and came to the U.S. with his parents in 1920. He was naturalized in Chemung County, New York. He attended high schools in Fort Dodge, Iowa and Elmira, NY. He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, NY and worked for over 40 years for the NY Telephone Co.; He retired in 1968 and moved to Phoenix. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Europe during WWII as Commander of a Signal Center Team made up of Linguists to do Liaison with the Free French Army, French Forces of The Interior and other organized Resistance Groups. He served in four campaigns in Europe and retired from the Army Reserves after 22 years of service in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was a life member of The American Legion, Past Commander of District #11. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, affiliated with Montezuma Lodge #35 and a Shriner of El Zaribah Temple in Phoenix. He served as Grand Master of the state of New York, I.O.O.F. in 1959-1960. He also was a member of The Encampment, Patriarch Militant and The Rebekah Branches of Odd Fellowship. Survivors include wife Freda; sons Larry and Charles Michael of Phoenix, Charles Andre' of Great Bend, PA; daughters Marie of Phoenix and Alice Beardsley of Sun City; 15 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Cremains will be buried in Elmira, NY and the family will hold private memorial services. Memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society or Hospice of the Valley suggested. The Arizona Republic July 4, 2002