Roderic Barry Martens Jr. succumbed to complications from a stroke on April 13 at the age of 71. He is survived by his sister Jane, who lives in San Antonio, Texas, and his brother Paul, who lives in Chelmsford. His parents were Roderic and Ethel Martens of Worcester. In recent years Rod became close friends with John and Pat Cooke of Plymouth, Mass., who will miss the many conversations and good times they shared.

Rod was born on August 22, 1943 in Newton, Mass., but was a lifelong resident of Worcester. He attended Assumption Prep and Classical High, and studied English at Worcester State College. As a teenager, he worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Ladd’s Record Shop, and eventually spent more than forty years at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Rod was a survivor of the 1953 Worcester tornado, and lived in the rebuilt house on Uncatena Avenue for years afterward.

Rod loved watching and discussing old movies and old TV shows. He enjoyed playing baseball and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Red Sox; he and Paul had box seats at Fenway in the mid-1970s. He played both basketball and pool with great panache and great lack of skill, and during games he liked to trade hilarious barbs with equally untalented friends. But his passion was music. He had an extensive, eclectic collection of records and CDs, and particularly enjoyed listening to his countless Elvis recordings. He was also a gifted raconteur who often entertained his friends with amusing and interesting stories.

Rod was a very sensitive, caring person and was always available to comfort anyone in their time of need. He could write a sympathy note that the recipient would keep forever. And all his life, Rod loved children. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Jimmy Fund.

A graveside service will take place, Friday, May 8 at Noon in Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave., Paxton.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester is directing arrangements.