Christopher Francis DeMartin, retired accountant
Christopher Francis DeMartin, 72, of Milford passed away peacefully surrounded by family Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at home. Chris was born in Baltimore, Md., the son of the late Clement F. and Barbara (Bingham) DeMartin.
He was a graduate of Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore. Chris was drafted and served his country proudly in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Following his tour in Vietnam, he worked his way through college painting houses, and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Delaware State University. He began his accounting career with the State of Delaware, then moved on to the General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C., followed by many years working as an IRS agent. While with the IRS, Chris taught accounting at Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown. In 1986, Chris decided to strike out on his own and purchased Nora Layton's accounting practice in Milford, where he ran a successful accounting firm for many years. In 2005, Chris left his accounting practice in the capable hands of his daughter Michele after he was offered a job at the in the finance accounting section of the FBI, working there until retiring in 2014.
Chris was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Milford, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Vietnam Veterans of America in Dover, and was a proud supporter of veterans organizations, which had a special place in his heart. He enjoyed stamp collecting, camping and fishing. He loved spending time outdoors, not relaxing, but working hard. He loved splitting and cutting wood for his woodstove. Family was most important to Chris, who enjoyed spending time with them and teaching his strong work ethic through his own actions. Chris was a hardworking and tough man, battling though Agent Orange, PTSD, suffering a near-fatal car accident, two lung transplants, heart issues and kidney failure. He had a fighting spirit and never gave up, powering through with the loving support of his family until the end.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy DeMartin; two daughters Michele Jarrell and her husband Larry, and Christie DeMartin; one son Jeffrey DeMartin; three grandchildren, Samantha Boddy, Sebastian Cantu and Marlena Cantu; two brothers David DeMartin and his wife Janis, and Stephen DeMartin; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Paula Motsay, as well as nieces and nephews,
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 25, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 506 Seabury Ave., Milford. Due to COVID-19 protocols, masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed by all participating in any aspect of the service. Burial with military honors will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to either the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 850, P.O. Box 1718, Dover, DE 19903, or to St. John's Catholic Church, 506 Seabury Ave., Milford, DE 19963. Arr. by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford. Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at www.loflandandmcknatt.com.
