Joseph Martorana, 98, Vero Beach
Joseph Martorana, 98, of Vero Beach, was born Aug. 10, 1921, in New York City and passed away on Dec. 18, 2019, in Florida. He was the son of the late Domenico and Vincenza Martorana.
Joe was the youngest high school graduate from the Benjamin Franklin High School, NYC, at the age of 15.
Joe’s first job was at a pen and stationery shop near Wall Street while he attended CCNY for business and accounting.
Joe served his country in many capacities. His passion and devotion to people and country began with his service during WW II where he attained the rank of Sgt. Major.
From his time in the military onward, Joe’s passion for the life of a Public Servant became evident. Joe was elected to various local municipal and county legislative positions. As time and opportunity came around Joe’s career in Public Service began to grow as he was elected to serve in the New York State Legislature and New York Deputy Secretary of State.
His dedication to the US Veteran community was well known and widely recognized as he held the esteemed positions of Deputy Director of New York State Division of Veterans Affairs and the National Commander of Italian American War Veterans. Joe was instrumental in the Ellis Island Foundation Restoration project.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Joe is survived by his sister-in-law Rose; five nieces; six nephews; many grandnieces and grandnephews; and his former wife, Audrey.
Joe was predeceased in death by his brother Dominick, sisters Katherine, Grace and Dorothy and niece, Mary Celia.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 27, from 3 to 6 p.m., then the Celebration of Joseph’s life will follow at 6 p.m at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A Mass will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Burial will be held at a later date at Highland Cemetery in Highland, NY.
Jerry Philip Steenrod, 74, Sebastian
Jerry Philip Steenrod, 74, of Sebastian, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. He was born in Schenectady, N.Y.
Jerry was a United States Marine Corp. veteran, having served in the Vietnam War.
He retired from General Electric, of Schenectady, after 30 years as a grinder.
Jerry was a member of Pai’s Taekwondo in Schenectady, where he earned his first-degree black belt.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; brother, William Steenrod (Connie), of Schenectady; and several nieces and nephews.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Ethel Steenrod; his brother, Elmer; and his sister, Ashley.
Memorial contributions may be made to PTSD Foundation of America, 9724 Derrington Rd., Houston, TX 77064 or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave. 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.