Robert Martin Sr. died Dec. 11. He was 89 and lived in Marlborough.

He was born on March 25, 1931 in Everett, one of nine children of Lucy and Jared (Jerry) Martin.

He graduated from the Everett High School, where he excelled in sports. He later graduated from Franklin Technical Institute as a certified automobile mechanic. He met and married his late wife Dorothy Bess in 1949; they had four children. He had a total of five children. He worked at Cote Ford and United Parcel Service for many years, advancing to the position of supervisor before retiring. Robert (Big Bobby) lived in Everett, Boston, Framingham, Vineland, N.J., New Orleans La., Martha’s Vineyard and Marlborough.

Wherever he and his family moved, church membership was an essential part of creating a home. He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and attended Charles St. AME Church and First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven. He was also a founding and member of Greater Framingham Community Church. One of his greatest passions was being a videographer who brought quality programming to the Framingham community. He received the Framingham Public Access TV, Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was an avid gardener, sports aficionado, devoted motivator and surrogate dad for many young people. He was active in the NAACP during the 1960s civil rights movement and became a community activist during the hearings leading up to the desegregation order in Boston public schools. He was also Massachusetts state delegate to the Democratic National Committee, and generously donated to many charitable organizations. He had a great sense of humor, was a storyteller who loved to laugh and was known as a creative problem solver. He loved pets of all kinds.

He is survived by his children Robert Martin Jr., Joyce Martin-Williams, Pamela Green, Jerald Martin and Dammond Bonner; and six grandchildren.

Services will be private and by invitation on Dec. 22 at the Duckett Funeral Home in Sudbury.

Donations can be made to the Greater Framingham Community Church, 44 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA 01752.