Obituary for Michael Martello
Michael Martello, 92, died at his daughter Patricia and husband James Little’s home in South Burlington, VT with all of his loving family at his bedside.
Mike was the son of the late Thomas and Constance Martello. He was born in Burlington on December 12, 1927. He spent the early part of his life living in Hoboken, NJ. He graduated from Burlington High School. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1945 and served until the end of 1948. Mike worked for various auto parts stores as a counterman selling car parts.
Mike was an accomplished jazz guitarist. He played with members of “Earth Wind and Fire”, Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers, Stan Getz and Zoot Sims. He performed with Carnegie Hall pianist Dr. Tony Zano from Boston and pianist Linton Garner, brother of Earl Garner. He once gave a jazz concert with jazz great Lionel Hampton. He played in the Burlington area for many years with many local musicians.
Mike met the love of his life, Marion Kelley, in 1949 and on June 30, 1951, they were married at St. Stephen’s Church in Winooski, VT. Together they had four children, Patricia, Thomas, Randall, and Kelly. He and his wife wintered in Ellenton, Florida for many years which they truly loved.
He was a member of the VFW in Burlington. In December of 1945m Mike was a member of an 18 piece US Naval dance band in Maryland. He was asked to take part in a demonstration with the very famous Helen Keller. He was asked to play different rhythms and she would touch his guitar and through her interpreter, would tell what rhythms he was playing.
Mike is survived by his children and spouses, Patricia and James Little of South Burlington, Thomas and Gail of Fairfield, Randall and Patricia of Richford and Kelly and Randy Quenneville of Wolcott. He is also survived by brother Anthony and wife Kay, sisters Corona Sheppard and Dorothy and Jim Corrigan. Also his grand children Jacob and Heather Little, Nathan Little, Tommy and Nikki Martello, and great grand children Haley Drown, Ethan and Teagan Little, Skylar and Maddox Martello.
He was predeceased by his wife Marion, brothers Vincent and Helen Martello and Daniel Martello.
There will be no visiting hours.
Arrangements are under the care of LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Mike was the son of the late Thomas and Constance Martello. He was born in Burlington on December 12, 1927. He spent the early part of his life living in Hoboken, NJ. He graduated from Burlington High School. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1945 and served until the end of 1948. Mike worked for various auto parts stores as a counterman selling car parts.
Mike was an accomplished jazz guitarist. He played with members of “Earth Wind and Fire”, Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers, Stan Getz and Zoot Sims. He performed with Carnegie Hall pianist Dr. Tony Zano from Boston and pianist Linton Garner, brother of Earl Garner. He once gave a jazz concert with jazz great Lionel Hampton. He played in the Burlington area for many years with many local musicians.
Mike met the love of his life, Marion Kelley, in 1949 and on June 30, 1951, they were married at St. Stephen’s Church in Winooski, VT. Together they had four children, Patricia, Thomas, Randall, and Kelly. He and his wife wintered in Ellenton, Florida for many years which they truly loved.
He was a member of the VFW in Burlington. In December of 1945m Mike was a member of an 18 piece US Naval dance band in Maryland. He was asked to take part in a demonstration with the very famous Helen Keller. He was asked to play different rhythms and she would touch his guitar and through her interpreter, would tell what rhythms he was playing.
Mike is survived by his children and spouses, Patricia and James Little of South Burlington, Thomas and Gail of Fairfield, Randall and Patricia of Richford and Kelly and Randy Quenneville of Wolcott. He is also survived by brother Anthony and wife Kay, sisters Corona Sheppard and Dorothy and Jim Corrigan. Also his grand children Jacob and Heather Little, Nathan Little, Tommy and Nikki Martello, and great grand children Haley Drown, Ethan and Teagan Little, Skylar and Maddox Martello.
He was predeceased by his wife Marion, brothers Vincent and Helen Martello and Daniel Martello.
There will be no visiting hours.
Arrangements are under the care of LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service.