John V. Martino

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR JOHN HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013 AT 10 A.M. IN THE JOYCE FUNERAL HOME. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW IN CALVARY CEMETERY, WALTHAM.

Chelmsford – Mr. John V. Martino, Sr., of Chelmsford, formerly of Brighton and Watertown, died Friday, April 12, 2013, in the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. He was 86.

He was the beloved husband of Gertrude A. (Wilson) Martino, to whom he would have been married 60 years in June.

Born in Boston on April 14, 1926, he was a son of the late Phillip and Phillis (Pirrone) Martino of Italy. He grew up in Brighton, and graduated from Boston High School of Commerce. After marrying, he moved to Watertown where he lived for 38 years raising his family before moving to Chelmsford after he retired.

As a child, he worked with his father at Peter Fuller's Packard dealership on Commonwealth Avenue, and in the North End as a teenager.

He served with the United States Army during World War II, after which he had the opportunity to visit his family's ancestral home in Italy.

Upon returning home, John briefly owned a gas station in Newtonville with his late brother, Victor, before going into a sales career, retiring from the former Cambridge Gas Company.

He and his wife were long-time members of the Fernald League in Waltham, where he played an active role in ensuring the well being of the school's residents, which included his son, John Jr.. He also was a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his children, John V. Martino, Jr. of Waltham and Phyllis Shaw and her husband, John, of Chelmsford; his grandchildren, David, Gina, and Stephen Shaw, all of Chelmsford; his sisters, Rose Doherty and Isabel Martino, both of Needham his brother, Paul Martino and his wife, Roberta, of Plymouth; his sister-in-law, Ruth Martino of Weston, and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Victor Martino.

A loving husband to Gertrude, and a wonderful father to his children, he also adored his three grandchildren, who knew him as "Pa," and with whom he spent the last active years of his life.

Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, April 18th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Volunteer Services, E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.