John "Marty" Doggett

John “Marty” Martin Doggett, Jr. passed away on March 11, 2024, at Boston Medical Center, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with amyloidosis. He was 72.

Marty was born on December 26, 1951, to Jack and Annabelle Doggett in Little Rock, AR, where Jack was on assignment with the FBI. Marty spent his childhood in North Plainfield, NJ, with his four younger siblings, Mary Anne, Eileen, Joseph, and Stephen. A 1969 graduate of North Plainfield High School, Marty was a talented football player, anchoring back-to-back New Jersey state champion teams in 1966 and 1967 that were inducted into the school’s Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2021. He went on to attend Williams College in Williamstown, MA, where he excelled in football, experimented with lacrosse, cultivated his lifelong love of learning, and made enduring friendships. He was a proud member of the 1971 Ephs football team that started the tradition of “The Walk” after beating Amherst, and he co-captained the squad in 1972.

After graduating from Williams in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in American Civilization, Marty took a position teaching US history at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, in 1974. It was there that his college friend Tom Hyndman serendipitously asked if his older sister, Patricia “Patty” Hyndman, could catch a ride with Marty up to the Williams-Amherst football game. Marty fell in love with Patty during that drive and became convinced he would spend the rest of his life with her. He was right. They were married on June 19, 1976, in Philadelphia, PA.

Patty and Marty went on to raise their five boys on Lawrenceville’s campus. Marty wore many hats at the school, while also pursuing a Master of Arts from New York University, which he earned in 1981. He spent 25 years in the classroom, teaching US history and AP economics and imparting his love of learning to countless students. He served as a housemaster and the Director of the Fifth Form. From 1989 through 1999, he was the school’s Dean of Students. Throughout his tenure, Marty enthusiastically coached varsity football and the freshman lacrosse team, which he lovingly called his “Junior Juggernaut.” For his tireless efforts on behalf of the school and its students, Lawrenceville honored Marty with the Master’s Award for distinguished teaching in 2009.

In the fall of 1999, Marty was installed as the 27th Head of School of Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, MA, a position he would hold for 12 years. In addition to spearheading transformational capital campaigns and building projects — a new performing arts center, hockey rink, buildings and grounds facility, faculty housing, and dormitory that now bears his name, along with major renovations to the student’s center, sewage treatment plan, and dining hall, among others — he was influential in transitioning the school to its current name, The Governor’s Academy. He also started the school’s senior capstone program, an initiative designed to instill in students a commitment to community service. The school grew and flourished under his leadership. Marty stepped back from his role as Head in 2011 but continued to teach at the Academy until his retirement in 2014.

Marty’s life after leaving the classroom was defined by stewardship to his family, his town, Salisbury, MA, and the surrounding North Shore region. He was the Head of the Board of Trustees for Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, MA, served as a member of the Salisbury Planning Board, mediated for the Essex County Courts, was on the Board of Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, MA, and delivered groceries for the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry. He also played golf (poorly), regularly drove down the eastern seaboard (even more poorly) to visit family, was an active member of a writing and social group, the Tuesday Night Club, and enjoyed cooking for Patty and teasing his seven granddaughters. Shortly before his passing, Marty and Patty joyfully welcomed the arrival of their first grandson.

Marty was diagnosed with primary amyloidosis in 2005, a condition he bravely fought for the rest of his life. He received extraordinary care from the Amyloidosis Center at Boston Medical Center, benefiting from that team’s cutting-edge research and care, which he and his family credit with saving and prolonging his vibrant, robust life. Marty was courageous in the face of this devastating illness, undergoing novel treatments, organ transplants, and countless doctor’s visits. Patty was always by his side, serving as advocate, cheerleader, companion, nurse — whatever the moment required. Marty never allowed himself to be defined by illness and remained positive, active, and engaged until the last.

At his many stops in life — North Plainfield, Williams, Lawrenceville, The Governor’s Academy, Salisbury, and beyond — Marty forged close relationships that heartened and sustained him. He was blessed with an innate ability to foster and strengthen community through his storytelling, often featuring his friends and family as the protagonists. They will always remember him for his ability to see and draw out potential in students and colleagues, his commitment to education, his infectious laugh, puckish sense of humor and appreciation of a good practical joke, unflinching loyalty, passion for Bruce Springsteen and the New York Yankees, his perseverance in the face of hardship, his boundless love for his family, and, above all, his devotion to his best friend, wife of 47 years, and soul mate, Patty.

Marty is survived by her; his sons, Patrick, Andrew, Daniel, David, and Colin; his siblings, Mary Anne, Eileen, Joseph, and Stephen; his daughters-in-law, Theresa, Larken, Emily, and Jillian; his seven granddaughters; and one grandson.

Family and Friends may greet his family from 10:30 to 11:30 prior to his Funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Newburyport, MA, on May 6, 2024, at 11:30 AM. A celebration of Marty’s life will follow at Steeple Hall at Mission Oak Grill. Burial will be private at a later date. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Doggett’s family with his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marty’s honor to Esperanza Academy at esperanzaacademy.org or to the Amyloidosis Center at Boston Medical Center at bmc.org/amyloidosis-center.

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