Ralph P. Martino, 90, of Derby, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday evening, June 4, 2011, at Griffin Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Michelena Volo Martino.
Mr. Martino was born in Derby on March 21, 1921, son of the late Giacomo and Rose Montuori Martino. A proud lifelong resident of the Derby community, he along with his brother, owned and operated United Shoe Repair on Elizabeth Street in Derby, until their retirement in 2009. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during WW II. Ralph was a communicant of St. Jude’s Church in Derby and a member of its men’s club. He was also a member of the V.F.W. in Derby, having served as Past Commander. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching the NY Yankees, NY Jets, and the UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.
He is survived by a loving brother, James J. “Babe” Martino of Derby, loving nieces and nephews, Rosemary Holzer and her husband Jack of Derby, Joseph Benanto and his wife Lucille of Shelton, Ronald Benanto and his wife Dorothy of Acton, MA, Beverly Ott and her husband Raymond of Oxford, Susan Martino and Richard Volo of Derby, brother in law, Samuel Volo and his wife Virginia of Wallingford, and several great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Alfred Martino, a sister, Mary Benanto, and a niece Joanne Middendorf.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Wednesday June 8, 2011, at 9:15am from the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Jude’s Church in Derby. Entombment with U.S. Army military honors will follow in Mt. St. Peter’s Garden Mausoleum in Derby. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm. Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Church through the funeral home. The family wishes to thank Dr. Greg Angstreich and the staff of the Griffin Cancer Center for their excellent care and compassion given during Ralph’s illness. To send an online condolence, please visit http://www.spinellifuneralhome.com.
