James “Babe” Martino, age 94, of Derby, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Shelton Lakes in Shelton. James was born in Derby on May 29, 1925, son of the late Giacomo and Rose (Montouri) Martino, and was a lifelong Derby resident.
He served his country with the United States Army during WWII, and along with his brothers was the owner and operator of United Shoe Repair on Elizabeth Street in Derby until his retirement in 2009. Babe was a devoted fan of the Yankees and NY Jets, and a longtime member of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles (St. Mary’s) Church, where he served as an usher and sang in the choir.
He leaves nieces and nephews Joseph Benanto and his wife Lucille, Ronald Benanto and his wife Dorothy, Rosemary Benanto and her husband John, Beverly Ott and her husband Raymond, and Susan Martino, as well as several great-nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by two brothers, Ralph and Alfred Martino and a sister, Mary E. Benanto.
Friends may greet the family at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby on Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 AM. His procession will leave for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church, Derby. Entombment will follow at Mt. St. Peters Garden Mausoleum in Derby.
At the family’s request, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Church, 212 Elizabeth Street, Derby CT 06418 and to ORTV, Inc., 15 Peach Orchard Rd, Prospect, CT 06712.
