Obituary of Joseph C. Martini

Joseph C. Martini, 91passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021. Joe lived a full life.Joe was devoted to his family, a wonderful son and son in law, a friend to many, an outstanding golfer, a role model to his children and grandchildren and a mentor to the countless students and athletes he taught and coached throughout his 50 year teaching and coaching career on Long Island. While Joe had great success in his life and career, you would never know it – he was humble and unassuming, preferring to serve his family, friends and community without the need for recognition. Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent his childhood a true Brooklyn kid, riding the streetcar to Coney Island, spending days at Luna Park and Steeplechase with his older brother Phil, Joe and his family moved out to Valley Stream on LI and Joe was a standout football and track athlete at Valley Stream Central High School and later at Adelphi University, where he gained national recognition as one of the country's best track athletes and was inducted into the Adelphi University Hall of Fame in 1961. Joe loved his years as a lifeguard at Long Island's beaches and passed along his love of the beach to his family. After college, Joe taught and coached at Dutch Broadway Elementary School, Valley Stream Memorial, Turtle Hook Junior High School and Uniondale High School. It seemed everywhere he went Joe ran into former students or athletes and many reached out to him to tell him about the positive impact he had on their lives far beyond athletics. Joe was also one of Long Island's most highly ranked high school football officials and served for many years developing Nassau County's high school indoor track program and taking teams to annual state indoor track competitions at Cornell University. Because of his commitment to learning and excellence, and while juggling a young family, Joe earned a Master's Degree from Columbia University. Above all else, Joe was a devoted husband to Beverly whom he adored and cherished, they had a true partnership that inspired all. Joe and Bev met when they were teachers in the same school and eventually moved to Merrick, where they lived for more than 60 years. His family was with him and Bev on December 27, 2020, when they celebrated their 64th Wedding anniversary. Joe loved his older brother Phil and Phil's son P.J., and they spent many happy times together on golf courses (and 19th holes) in Annapolis, Scotland, and the Greenbrier, and on Phil's boat on trips to Florida. Joe was loved by Bev's parents and extended family and was a loving brother in law to George Little, Bev's brother, who he loved to beat on the croquet court. Joe was a father to Joe and Debbie and enjoyed special relationships with each of his five grandchildren, Connor, Brenna, Michael, Erin and Owen. Joe was father 's in law to Debbie's husband Michael and Joe's fiancé` Jennifer, and her son Theo. He made his family his priority, always and gave his time, attention, love and coaching generously to all. Because of COVID the family plans to have a private funeral and burial and invites you to post your thoughts and memories. . .