Mike Martin

Hartford, VT- Michael “Mike” Aher Martin, 73, died at home on October 5, 2026, surrounded by family.

He was born on December 5, 1952, in Hanover, NH, to John and Elizabeth (Aher) Martin. Mike attended the local schools, graduating from Hartford High School. On June 24, 1983, he married Susan (Darling) Aldrich at St. Anthony Catholic Church in White River Junction.

Music was an integral part of Mike’s life. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Keene State College in 1976. He was devoted to teaching music for 30 years. As the Director of Instrumental Music at Windsor High School, he directed the school jazz band and marching band, for which he was passionate. He also taught instrumental music in both the Chester, Vermont and Portland, Maine school districts. He was an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Southern Maine in Portland where he taught applied percussion and jazz band. He was Vermont Creative Arts teacher of the year in 1998 and Windsor High School Teacher of the Year in1980. He played with the Ensemble Dance Band and the Tony Parisi Big Band. He connected to his community through education and coaching. In Windsor, he coached both indoor track, outdoor track and field, and in Hartford, he coached youth ice hockey.

After retiring from teaching, Mike worked as a member of the Quechee Club golf course maintenance team, where he continued to enjoy being part of the community and staying active. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, visiting the ocean, listening to music while tasting new wines, spending time outdoors, and tending to his lawn from the seat of his tractor.

Mike was a loving husband, father, and papa. He is survived by his wife, Susan; two sons, Nate Aldrich of White River Jct., VT and Derrick Aldrich of Barre, VT; Nate’s fiancée Katie Hanscom; daughter-in-law, Francesca Terenzini; grandchildren, Freddie, Isla, Wyatt and Jackson; sisters, Patricia Guilbault of West Lebanon, NH, Rhonda Martin of Hartford, VT, and Andrea Heath of Hartford, as well as nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family members and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com