Wakefield, NH

Martin ("Marty") Raymond Heon, Jr., age 78, of Wakefield NH, passed away on November 10, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and family, after a valiant fight with cancer.

Marty was born in Dover, NH on March 17, 1942, the son of Martin Heon, Sr., and Regina (Lacasse) Godbois.

He graduated from Somersworth High School in 1962 and upon graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC.

He married his high school sweetheart, Rachel Yvette Gagnon on July 20, 1963, and they were separated for thirteen months while he proudly served his country overseas in Japan.  After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, he was appointed to the NH State Police as a trooper.  He was a graduate of the 131 ^st session of the FBI National Police Academy in 1982. He worked on many high-profile cases during his tenure with the NH State Police before retiring after 21 years as Lieutenant and Commander of the Major Crime Unit.  He continued his career in law enforcement when he successfully ran for Sheriff of Strafford County in 1996 and served in that role until 2002.  His professional life was dedicated to community and country while in his private life he had an unwavering dedication to marriage and family.

Marty and Rachel built a home on Silver Street in Middleton, NH and raised their three children there until relocating to their retirement home on Great East Lake in Wakefield, NH in 2003.

Marty loved being active.  He and Rachel enjoyed a lifetime of snowmobiling and passed that love on to their children and grandchildren.  He and his family loved their excursions to northern NH, Maine and Canada.  Living on the lake, water sports were another pastime.  He water skied all his life, and was not afraid of challenging himself – when his sons decided to try barefoot waterskiing, he joined them without hesitation.  At age 70, he successfully hiked to the summit of Mount Washington.

He also enjoyed vacationing with his family, especially his numerous trips to Disney World with his children and grandchildren.

With his numerous talents and uncanny ability to figure things out, Marty was always busy fixing things and working on many projects.  He was happy to lend a hand whenever or wherever needed.  The sheer magnitude of various pieces and parts left on his garage bench is a testament to the work he was always doing.

His grandchildren looked forward to their Pepere making breakfast for them on the weekends at the lake.  Crepes made with a secret ingredient (LOVE) were the highlight of the menu.  Meal times were an event in the Heon household – and Pepere was always the last one at the table, relishing every bite.  Whether it was a gourmet meal or a can of chicken soup, it always "hit the spot" in his words.

Marty loved life and loved his family – he will be forever missed and remembered every day.

He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Rachel; his children Mark and wife Kelly, Kimberly, Steven and wife Colleen; grandchildren Erica and husband Timothy, Matthew, Nicole, Leah, Madison and Ashlyn; and great-grandson Gavin.  He also is survived by a sister, Pauline, and a brother Normand and wife Linda, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 10AM at St. Martin's Church, 120 Maple Street in Somersworth, NH 03878. The mass will be livestreamed for those that cannot attend.  Please visit www.stignatius-stmary.org .  Urn interment with military honors will immediately follow the service at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Somersworth.  To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com