Joseph A. Martines Sr.

October 26, 2018

Joseph A. Martines Sr., 91, Carbondale, passed away peacefully Friday at Creekside Health and Rehabilitation Center. His wife of 69 years is the former Veronica Gorel.

Born in Carbondale, son of the late Salvatore and Grace Cerra Martines, he was affiliated with the shoe repair business for 80 years. He owned and operated Martines Shoe Repair for 70 years and was a well-known shoemaker.

Joe led a simple, humble life and his greatest joy was in giving to others. His favorite holiday was Christmas and he especially enjoyed Christmas Eve; after mid-night mass his home overflowed with family and friends.

He was proud of his Sicilian heritage and was instrumental in re-establishing the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast in 1970 serving as chairman. Joe always celebrated St. Joseph’s Day, was always smiling and tried to make people happy.  During WWII, he served in the US Navy and was on the USS Little Rock CL-92, where he was a plank owner. He was a Life Member of  The American Legion, DAV, VFW and Cottage Hose Fire Company.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by: four sons, Salvatore “Sam” Martines and wife, Jennifer, Carbondale; Michael Martines and wife, Mary Lee, Vandling; Matthew A. Martines, Carbondale and Joseph Martines and wife, Joan, Carbondale; he was Poppy to Kristen Hodnett, Jillian Evarts, Tara Sheare, Marlie, Michaela, Malinda, Matthew, Christopher and Brian Martines; he was great grampy to, Gwenevere Sheare, Adelyn Evarts and Ethan Matthew Decker; a brother, Charles Martines, Scranton, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by siblings, a young child, Michael Martines, Mary Mancuso, Jenny Cotroneo, John Martines, Matt Martines, Michael Martines and Sam Martines.

The family wishes to extended their sincerest gratitude to the nursing staff of Creekside Rehabilitation. We could not have asked for any more special care than what you all have provided for him.

The funeral will be Tuesday from Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2 Hospital St., Carbondale with Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 11 a.m. Interment, with military honors in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Simpson.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 5 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home.