Martin A. Tillman
Martin Tillman Obituary
Marty grew up in Mobile Alabama. He has 2 older brothers Mark and Michael. Marty was super close with his mom Jimmie Nell. He went to B.C Rain high school and onto college at South East School of Technology in Mobile, Al.
Marty had many other “brothers” he grew up with and made yearly trips to spend time together. Marty grew up playing football and basketball. He is a huge Auburn sports fan “War Damn Eagle” all the way.
Marty moved to Maine 23 years ago to take a job at National Semi Conductor which is now Texas Instruments (TI). He worked for TI for 23 years as an Equipment Technician. He always considered Alabama to be home even though he had lived in Maine for 23 years. Marty had a strong southern accent though his friends from back home said he sounded like a Mainer now. His goal was to move back to Alabama so he could take care of his mother.
Marty had a daughter Abigail Tillman who he loved very much.
He was a great dad, he loved spending time with his daughter.
Marty loved going for motorcycle rides. He enjoyed going to bike week in Laconia with his friends. He was a great dancer -though always was embarrassed to dance. He loved playing golf with his friends. He played baseball on a local team for many years.
There are no words that can do him justice. Marty always stood up for what he believed in. He always had his friends’ backs. Marty was loved by everyone that knew him. Marty was always willing to help out. He was kind, sweet, funny, giving, genuine, compassionate, a gentle giant, loving, generous, and so much more. Marty will be missed by everyone.
Marty and I’s story so hopefully I can convey how much he meant to me.
Marty and I met June 2019 one night at RJs bar. It was the first time
I had ever been there. I went with my friend to see Captain Ray and the castaways (her brother is the drummer). I had been watching him dance “wiggle” and we kept smiling at each other til he finally had the courage (his words not mine) to come talk to me. His southern accent just melted my heart. I could listen to him talk for hours. He had so many stories about his friends from “home” I felt like I knew them all.
We connected instantly-we took our first selfie within 5 minutes of meeting (and for those that know Marty you know he hated his picture taken) and we took thousands of pictures in our time together. We started texting all the time. I would wake up every morning with a sweet good morning text. I will truly miss those We spent every minute together when we weren’t working. Our first date we took his motorcycle to Baileys Island. It was they perfect first date. He was a true southern gentleman.
We went on all kinds of adventures, doing things he had never done -come on who lives in Maine for 22 years and hasn’t been hiking or kayaking? We drove the Kancamagus highway and went to Diana’s bath of course he complained the water was too cold to put his feet in and of course I made him. Lol it was all part of the experience. We spent the summer at my family’s camp. He said it was the first time since he moved to Maine that he had a tan. We spent hours at the lake talking and playing cribbage-which he always won.
We went whale watching and to Boothbay , Rockland , Camden for day trips.
Most weekends we would either go to RJs or have dinner @ Seasons with friends and watch a band and we would dance. He was affectionately know as “Magic Mike” and the ladies tried to put dollars in his pocket. Which embarrassed him to no end. We would go to Evelyn’s to meet his friends (which are now my family too) to play cards on Wednesdays.
We went to see the Christmas lights at the botanical gardens in Boothbay. We also went several concerts. He was always open and up for adventures with me.
We spent the first real family Christmas he had ever celebrated. He helped decorate the Christmas tree and we watched Christmas movies (which he wasn’t a fan of)
Marty had the biggest heart and would help his friends out no questions asked. You always knew where you stood with him. He was the most honest straight-shooting person I have met. He used to say “You have to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”
He had a great sense of humor and could make anyone laugh. He was a diehard Auburn sports fan “War Damn Eagle”
He was always sending memes that you didn’t quite dare to open around other people. I was so happy to meet him and fall in love with him and show him what true love really was. Even now knowing how things would end I would do it again in a heartbeat just to have gotten to spend our time together. He meant the world to me. I love you Marty and miss you so much but thank you for the love that you gave me and my new “family”
Memorials-Celebrations of life will be held in both Alabama and Maine
Alabama Saturday, September 19th, 2020 @ Zebra Club @ 7pm
2343 Dauphin Island Parkway Mobile AL 36605
Maine October 11th, 2020 @ Seasons Grille 12pm-5pm 155 Riverside St Portland, ME 04103
Marty’s colleagues from Texas Instrument are invited to come from 12pm-2pm with friends and others welcome from 2pm to 5pm We are limited to small group gatherings per CDC guidelines. Please wear your masks.
In Lieu of flowers if friends or family desire a memorial contribution can be made to the Marty Tillman Scholarship fund by clicking the link below.
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