Joseph L. Martinoli

Joseph L Martinoli, 98, a lifelong Stamford resident passed away on March 5, 2024. Born on February 2, 1926, the son of the late Santi Martinoli and Palmira (Bonesi) Martinoli, Joe is survived by his loving sons, Joseph L. Martinoli, Jr. and Michael Martinoli, brother Louis J Martinoli and a number of nieces and nephews spanning 5 generations. He was predeceased by his beloved Eleanor (Fabrizio) of 60 years and sisters Mary Diaz and Josephine Martinoli. He attended local schools including Stamford High and the State Technical School.

Joe was the personification of the Greatest Generation, growing up in the crucible of the Great Depression and proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. Four week boot camp was at Samson, NY, advanced training at the Naval Air Technical Center in Millington, TN. He was an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class assigned to North Island Naval Air Station (San Diego). He was receiving flight pay when the War ended. After the War he remained in the active reserves out of Noroton Heights and served on the battleship Wisconsin for a 1947 Reservist Cruise.

Joe first met his Eleanor briefly at a veterans’ event and then a year later while bowling. They married in 1953. Joe joined Pitney Bowes in 1956 retiring in 1988. He rose to superintendent of manufacturing for departments 6500 and 2200 and held the title Chief Manufacturing Engineer upon retirement.

His love of family, loyalty to country, commitment to employer was rivaled only by his faith. Joe was one of the founding members of Saint Bridget of Ireland’s Church and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Joe was also an usher into his 90s. He belonged to the PB Oval Club and American Legion. He bowled in his company’s league for years recording a 190+ average his last season. He played centerfield and was a football halfback and place kicker. His Navy base newsletter dubbed Joe “automatic”! He was a devoted Yankees and Giants fan for life.

He traveled with his Eleanor and family to Hawaii, Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, the Caribbean and Europe including the Italian Alps north of Lake Como where his parents were from. He always attended his sons baseball, football and softball games even as recently as within the past year taking in his oldest son’s senior softball league. Joe was loved by all whom he touched and respected by those who worked with and served with him. He was gifted mechanically, was always up for solving problems, gave of himself to all and loved working in the yard right up through last summer. Family was everything for Joe. Joe was everything to his family, especially his sons. And Joe believe in never saying goodbye, rather he would tell you to say so long with that endearing smile of his. Rest easy Dad, your race was won.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 12 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bridget of Ireland Church, 278 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford. Interment and Naval Honor Guard will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Darien, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the Lacerenza Macari Family Funeral Home , 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford on Monday, March 11 from 4-8 p.m.

The family requests in lieu of flowers either a donation in the memory of Joseph L Martinoli to St Bridget Church for the Sunday Morning “Coffee and” Fellowship or to Wheel it Forward at wheelitforwardUSA.org and click donate now in the upper right corner or Mail a check in Joe’s memory to Wheel it Forward, 48 Union Street, Stamford, CT 06906.

To leave a condolence visit www.lacerenzafh.com