Anthony “Tony” Martinich, 89, of Trumbull, CT, passed away on Thursday, February 7th. Tony was born on October 5, 1929 in New York City. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Stamford, CT. He attended Rice School and graduated from Stamford High School in 1947.
Immediately following high school, Tony was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball organization and played several years of minor league baseball in Hornell, NY, Greenville, AL, Tallahassee, FL and Keokuk, IA before enlisting in the Air Force in 1950. Tony also played baseball while serving his country with a team from Vance Air Force base in Enid, OK, before being assigned to duty in Okinawa. His baseball days were just beginning though, as he played for the Service All-Stars while stationed in Okinawa. In 1952 he was awarded the Coca Cola Trophy, after being voted the outstanding major league prospect while playing against the Eddie Lopat All-Stars (managed by Leo Durocher and led by Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter and Eddie Mathews) as well as the New York Giants.
Following his tenure with the Air Force, Tony returned home to Stamford, CT and eventually signed to play with Seattle in the Triple A Pacific Coast League. It was in Seattle, however, where Tony’s baseball career came to an abrupt halt as he developed bursitis in his shoulder and was sent home.
Tony would tell you, however, that his best years were yet to come. And he was right, as he met and married his life long partner and the love of his life, Alice, in 1955. They raised their family in Ridgefield, CT but spent some of their most memorable years in Falmouth, MA (Cape Cod). They welcomed all to their home with open arms and loved to spend time on the beach with their children and grandchildren. His greatest legacy he leaves to his family is that of his love for the Lord Jesus Christ and how he lived his life as a Godly man.
Tony was predeceased by his father, Anthony G. Martinich, his mother, Sadie Lugar-Martinich, his sister, Anna Martinich and his son Michael P. Martinich.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Alice Martinich, his children, Patricia Tulinski, AJ Martinich and his wife Janine, Deborah Belletsky and her husband Dave, and David Martinich and his wife Michele. He will also be remembered by his 12 grandchildren; Rachel Martinich, Robyn Martinich, Stephanie Martinich, Kevin Martinich, Adrianna Robles, Alexandria Robles, David Belletsky, Daniel Belletsky, Andrew Martinich, Peter Martinich, Molly Tulinski and Hannah Tulinski.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Leo Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT on Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 2-5 pm. On Monday, the family will hold a brief service at Lawncroft Cemetery in Fairfield, CT at 11 am. All are welcome to attend. Donations in Tony’s name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
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