Martin J. "Marty" Piraino

Martin J. “Marty” Piraino, 88, was born on Syracuse’s Montgomery Street on July 31, 1923 and passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday, February 28, after a brief illness. Piraino, considered to be the greatest bowler in Syracuse history, enjoyed an illustrious professional career and was an idol to legions of bowlers because of his skill and enthusiasm, on and off the lanes. The second of seven children, Piraino grew up in a bowling family. His parents, Sam and Francesca Piraino, owned South Side Recreation Lanes on South Salina Street from 1941 to 1977. In addition to his parents and siblings, his uncles, Andrew Piraino I and Peter Piraino, and his aunt, Flora Piraino Aloi were early influences in Piraino’s bowling career. Andy Piraino I operated the bowling lanes at Drumlins Country Club, Peter Piraino managed Palace Bowling Lanes and operated James Street Lanes, and Flora Piraino Aloi owned and operated Lakeview Lanes with her husband, Joe.

As a boy, Piraino was a pin setter at the South Side Rec. In his youth, the left-handed Piraino was encouraged by his father and Uncle Andy and ultimately developed a passion for competitive bowling. Piraino went on to compete with and against some of Syracuse’s greatest bowlers, including his team mates on the Genesee Beer Team, Greg Griffo, Gene Petersen, Win Scheding, and his brother, Andy Piraino II. Even though he was cut from his high school bowling team, Piraino went on to establish himself as one of the best bowlers in the country. He set an American Bowling Congress Masters qualifying record at the 1958 ABC Tournament in Syracuse with a 1,769 eight-game total.

Piraino served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Machinists Mate First Class from December 1942 to April 1946 and returned as to the United States Naval Reserves from March 1948 to March 1953. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Medal and Victory Medal. Piraino began his professional career in 1960 and competed in Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) events as a summer touring player for 10 years (1967-77). During his PBA career he won four major PBA touring events. He defeated bowling icon Dick Weber to win his first pro title in Warren, Ohio, in 1963. His second and third PBA titles were in Houston, Texas in 1969 and Fresno, California in 1970. To secure his fourth title, Piraino bowled 299 in one of the first televised Home Box Office (HBO) events that led him to victory in Waukegan, Illinois in 1973. In 1975, Piraino rolled a 300 game and with partner Bill Bunetta to win the Classic Division doubles title in 1975 at the ABC Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. Piraino’s life on the professional bowling circuit included his beloved family, Jean, and his two children Mary Jean and Jay frequently accompanied Piraino on his tour stops. Piraino had more than 25 career 300 games including one after triple bypass heart surgery in 1998. Piraino also promoted bowling in Central New York through his work as executive director with the Gold Pin Fun Centers. He was an instructor with the Dick Ritger Bowling Camps and helped train several professionals including Doug Kent, Joe Ciccone, Rick Steelsmith and Kelly Kulick.

He was a fixture on local TV bowling from 1960-1996 including Utica Club Championship Bowling, Syracuse Bowls, Challenge Bowling, and Bowling for Dollars. In his later years, Piraino focused on teaching young bowlers the fundamentals of the game. He was also a frequent spectator at local bowling events including the Post-Standard Masters.

Piraino, who won a record 14 Van Wie Doubles championships, was a member of the state and local bowling halls of fame. He was also a member of the inaugural class of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. Piraino was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Francesca, and his wife of 55 years, the former Jean Marie Anderson whom he married on June 21, 1952 in St. Anthony of Padua Church in Syracuse.

Survivors include his daughter, Mary Jean Bernadette Piraino (Ronald C. Karnya) of Falls Church, Virginia; son, Jay Martin Piraino of Syracuse; sisters Sara Bouchard (Arthur), Carmela Widowski (Edward), and Flora Rockburn, and brothers Samuel Piraino (Teresa Arena), Andrew Piraino, and Anthony Piraino (Christine DiBiase) all of Syracuse, brother-in-law, Richard B. Anderson (Patricia Nash) of Modesto, California; grandson, Michael Jay Piraino of Syracuse; and daughters-in-heart, Patricia L. DiMento (Rocco) and Celeste R. Barber, both of Syracuse; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, second and third cousins, dear friends and bowling students.

The family will receive visitors at Farone and Son Funeral Home, 1500 Park Street in Syracuse on Friday, March 2, during the hours of 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday 9:15 A.M. at the funeral home and A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 406 Court Street in Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marty’s memory may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation of Central New York (CNY), 731 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13203. Please consider walking in memory of Marty in the upcoming CNY Kidney Walk on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

The Piraino Family wishes to thank the exceptional staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center for the skilled and loving care given to Marty during the last few weeks.