Joseph H. Martin III, 80, passed away Sunday, December 3rd after a period of declining health. Mr. Martin leaves his wife Louise A. (Couture) Martin. He was born in Upton and was the eldest son of the late Joseph H. Martin, Jr. and Eliza Jean (Strachan) Martin. Mr. Martin had lived in both Milford and Ashland moving to Shrewsbury in 1982. He was a summer resident at his cottage in Dennisport. Mr. Martin was Chief Expeditor at Fenwal Inc. in Ashland prior to his retirement in 1987. He had worked at Fenwal for more than 35 years. Prior to that Mr. Martin had been employed by Fish Hat Corp. of Framingham, William Knowlton Hat Co. of Upton, Herman Shoe and Porter Shoe, both of Millis. Mr. Martin was a 1943 graduate of St. Mary's Academy of Milford. He was a decorated WW II Army veteran serving with the 64th Field Artillery Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, 6th Army in the Asian-Pacific Theater of operations on Luzon in the Phillipines. He was awarded the Phillipines Liberation Medal, two Battle Stars and other ribbons. Mr. Martin was a charter member of Post 2331 VFW in Ashland and the Fenwal Quarter Century Club. He was also a social member of the Columbus Club in Framingham. Besides his wife, Mr. Martin leaves a son, Joseph H. Martin, IV of Mashpee; a step daughter Lillian Leno of Richmond, VA; two grandchildren, Matthew and Bryana McGillycuddy of Suffren, NY; one sister, Nancy Jean Basciano of Niles, OH; and two brothers, Colonel James A. Martin of North East, MD and John Martin of Upton. A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home (www.mataresefuneral.com) 325 Main Street in Ashland. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 8th from 5 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be on Monday December 11th at 10:30 AM in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne with military honors. In lieu of flowers donations in Mr. Martin's memory may be made to New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108.