Obituary of Mario Joseph Martino

Mario Joseph Martino of Merrick, New York, passed away on May 21, 2024. He was 104 years young, the patriarch of the Martino family and last remaining member of the family's greatest generation. Born in San Giacomo, Calabria, Italy on February 8, 1920 he was part of a close-knit Italian family. He is predeceased by his wife, Rosemary, parents Gustave and Rose Martino (Sarro), his sisters Faye (Tullio) and Lena, brother Salvatore (Doris), cherished father and mother-in-law Christopher and Mary Buccola, brothers and sisters-in-law Benny and Stella, Jimmy and Jo and Mickey and Ethel. He had many much-loved nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great grandnieces, great grandnephews. Mario was extraordinary in every way, most especially as a devoted husband to his late wife of nearly 66 years, Rosemary Josephine (Buccola), and as an amazing father to his four children Rosemary, Carol Ann, Richard and Christine and son-in-law John Dillon, all of whom he loved dearly. He was a devout Catholic, having reached the third-degree rank of the Knights of Columbus. His devotion to his Church family -- early on at Our Lady of Peace in Lynbrook -- and for over 61 years at Cure of Ars in Merrick, where he served as an usher for over 30 years, remains inspirational to all who knew him. A loving, gentle and humble man with an immensely generous spirit, Mario was the rock of his family. Having left school during the depression to provide for his mother, father, sisters and brother, he selflessly also looked after the needs of his extended family and friends asking nothing in return. Mario served in the US Navy during WWII. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he entered the workforce as a butcher, managing a store in the Bohack supermarket chain. He was a sharp negotiator and had an unrivaled eye for bargains. Smart and ambitious, but respectful, Mario's talent was recognized by Bohack and he was promoted to meat buyer in the late 1950s and served until the late 1960s. He continued his career as a buyer with ACME Markets through 1988. Mario's greatest role was as protector, cheerleader, and supporter of his wife and children. He stressed education and sacrificed to ensure that all his children graduated from Catholic grammar and high schools and solid colleges so they could take advantage of opportunities that were not afforded to him. The consummate story-teller, Mario would regale his family and friends with tales of his childhood in Italy, his immigration to America, dancing lessons at Arthur Murray, and an extensive repertoire of vignettes from the volume of a life well lived. Mario loved his friends, old and new, and spent many great times enjoying parties and events with dear friends from Cure of Ars Parish and the Merrick Senior Center. He was a stellar bowler, achieving 200 score games beyond his 90th birthday. He fiercely loved playing cards with his buddies at "the Center", singing with the "Melodeers" and enjoying a good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon at home with his family or at La Strada. He remained a die-hard New York Yankees and New York Rangers fan through his last days. Mario never gave up, persevering through all types of adversity. Always authentic, tolerant and patient, with a genuine smile and down-to-earth sense of humor, he shared his unmatched breed of love and kindness with everyone fortunate to know him. We are grateful that he is at peace with the family and friends who have gone before him in the joy and eternal light of God's presence. Donations in his name will be appreciated and may be made to: 'Capital Campaign Cure of Ars R.C. Church' or to MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care via https://www.mjhsfoundation.org/ways-to-make-a-gift/make-a-memorial-gift/