Salvatore Martingano, Sr.

Sal Martingano Sr., WWII veteran & Pearl Harbor survivor, passed on peacefully Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 91 years of age. Preceded in death by his daughter Diane & sisters Rose & Mary, Sal Sr. is survived by his wife Evelyn, his brother Gerald, his children Dr. Sal & Cookie, his grandchildren Jennifer & Eric Popham, Dr. Dan and Jeannie Martingano, Adam & Christin Martingano and four great-grandchildren, Christian, Bridget, Jaiden & Camden.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on July 29, 1920, Sal was the 2nd of 4 children born to Andrew and Margaret. He grew up in Brooklyn with sisters Rose & Mary & brother Gerald during the depression. To help support his family, Sal joined the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930’s as a machinist to work on Government projects.

At the outbreak of WW II, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor after the bombing. In a 2nd attack on Pearl Harbor few know about, Sal was caught in an explosion aboard the USS Bushnell where 1,200 sailors lost their lives. Sal married Evelyn after the war and had 2 children, Sal and Diane to whom he was totally devoted, providing life examples such as 15 yrs. in scouting and the passing on of his technical skills. Sal’s life was never the same after the death of his daughter Diane in 1964. However, he continued to provide for his family working as a machinist for the NYC transit authority until he retired. After retirement, he continued working as a maintenance machinist for Metropolitan Life Ins.

Sal was truly a jack of all trades which earned him the nick name “MacGyver” after the popular TV series. His love for the water provided many years of happiness fishing and boating; even making his own lures from household utensils which actually worked!! He was a devoted husband, father, & grandpa setting examples of independence and hard word. “Grandpa Sal” devoted his life to family & country. He was a loyal friend to many and an exemplary “self-made” man.

“With rod and reel and tackle box and a big smile on his face, he’s landed the big one, the very best...and heaven is now his special place.

Calling hours will be held Sun Dec 18, 2011 from 11 – 1:30 pm, with the funeral service at 1:30 pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home, entombment will follow in Fountainhead Memorial Park.

Those wishing to show expressions of sympathy may donate to the Wounded Warrior Project at: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org