Obituary of William "Bill" Howard Martell

William “Bill” Howard Martell Port Morien The Martell family of Port Morien is mourning their second loss in a month. On Sunday May 1, 2022, they lost their loving father and grandfather, William (Billy Boy) Howard Martell (82). Bill passed away at the Glace Bay General Hospital, with his sons by his side. Bill lived in Port Morien his entire life with his family and spent his very early years living on Flint Island, as the son and grandson of the lighthouse keeper. Bill is predeceased by three weeks by the love of his life and wife of 58 years, Audrey Martell. He and Audrey had four sons, Howard (Kim), Glen (Linda), Bob (Tanya) and BJ (Sandy) and six grandchildren (Bhreagh, Cayliegh, Cameron, Colby, Chase, and Bailley). Bill is also survived by his brother Paul and sister Jean. Bill was also predeceased by his parents William and Edna, his sisters Wilma and Edna and daughter in-law Keltie. Bill and Audrey led busy lives, working to make sure there were enough groceries to feed four growing boys, but always making time to teach them that taking time off to enjoy life was just as important. For Bill, he loved working with his hands and worked as a mechanic for 30+ years and was an excellent woodworker, so no matter what needed fixing or building, Bill was your man. In his downtime, he preferred to have a rod and reel in one hand and an outboard motor tiller in the other, with Audrey in the front seat of their aluminum boat. While their boys were young, they spent many summers on a family property on the Mira River. Even though Bill wasn’t one to be in the water swimming, he couldn’t get enough of spending time on the water. If he wasn’t building a boat or working on the motor, he was behind the wheel of one, racing anyone who would dare take him on. Bill and Audrey loved to camp and over the years they tried every version possible, from a large travel trailer down to a tent. And it didn’t matter the weather because if it started to rain, you’d be guaranteed that Bill would have several tarps he would pull out and masterfully construct into a shelter that could withstand any wind gust. All their grandchildren will forever have fond memories of camping with Nanny and Poppa and having fried bacon and bologna fresh off the Coleman stove. If they were really lucky, Bill might even make a batch of lobster macaroni, his own creation that tasted even better than it sounds. Bill was also pretty good in the kitchen and whenever there was a houseful of kids, Bill would be up with the birds getting breakfast cooked. It might have had something to do with the fact that was only time Audrey let him have real bacon too. But no one will forget his famous meatballs. No visit to Cape Breton for any kids or grandkids didn’t include having a giant pot of meatballs on the stove, that sometimes led to arguments over who was allowed to have the last one. Guaranteed it was never Bill. He gladly gave up his servings just to see some happy faces. While the family is grief stricken with the loss of Bill and Audrey so close together, there is a silver lining. The last three weeks are likely the longest period of time they have spent apart in the last 60 plus years. Having their passing so close together at least ensures that neither will have to live with the grief of losing the other. Their love and dedication to each other and their family will never be forgotten. A family event to celebrate Bill and Audrey will be planned at a later date. Words of comfort may be expressed to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, 902-849-4199.