Martin Rocco "Marty" Damiano Jr.

February 26, 2010

Martin 'Marty' Rocco Damiano Jr., 83, a lifelong resident of Old Forge, passed away Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, after losing his courageous battle with a lengthy illness. He was the youngest son of the late Matteo Rocco Damiano and Giovanina DeRosa Damiano. He attended Old Forge schools but left high school to join the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served in World War II with Company B, 1st Raider Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He was wounded in action on May 21, 1945, at Sugarloaf Hill on the island of Okinawa, Japan, in the South Pacific. After serving his country and receiving the Purple Heart Medal on his 19th birthday, he was honorably discharged in June 1946 and returned home to Old Forge to complete his high school education. He then attended and graduated from Post School of Advertising. Marty was an operating engineer on heavy equipment and highway construction, and also worked in the coal stripping operations until retirement. Marty was also a self-taught automotive mechanic and specialized in diesel auto repairs. He owned and operated an auto and equipment repair garage in Nicholson, Pa. He was an excellent carpenter and enjoyed building and refinishing houses and other structures. Upon retirement, he was an owner, trainer and driver of Standard bred racehorses and had a horse-training farm in Nicholson, Pa. He was a member of the United States Trotting Association and PA Harness Horsemen's Association. His other hobbies included fly tying, fly fishing and hunting. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Marty should be remembered for his active life, which included his tireless devotion to veterans' organizations and their causes. He volunteered for many years at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, also serving until his death as the Department of PA VAVS Military Order of the Purple Heart representative at the VA hospital. He was inducted into the Gino Merli Veterans Center Hall of Fame in 2007, gaining recognition for his service to his country and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was a 60-year life member and Past Commander of DeRosa-Orzolek VFW Port 4954 of Old Forge, Past Commander and life member of William C. Malia Chapter No. 1 Disabled American Veterans, where he served as Judge Advocate for many years. He was a Past Commander of DAV District No. 1 and Deputy Inspector General and Life Member of the DAV National Order of Trench Rats. Marty was a life member of the Black Sheep Detachment and Past Commandant and Judge Advocate of the Marine Corps League for many years. He was a life member and Pound Keeper of the Military Order of Devil Dogs Pound 38 Keystone Northeast, where he was elected Devil Dog of the Year in 1999. He was Past Vice-Commandant of the Northeast Division Marine Corps League, Department of PA, serving for 13 years. He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Coleman-Kause Chapter No. 654, Greater Pittston, serving as Judge Advocate until his death, and was a Past Commander, two-term Sergeant-At-Arms and National Aide-de-Camp for two National Commanders. He was a life member and Past Commander of Earl F. Detweiler AMVETS Post 189 Dupont. He was a member of the American Legion Charles B. Drake Post 513, Old Forge. He served as Quartermaster of the Electric City Italian American War Veterans Post 33, an organization he was particularly fond of and one which he chartered and was Past Department Commander for two terms and past National Supply Officer for two terms. He was a 25-year member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1276 Tunkhannock, serving as Prelate for many years and Junior Governor for a term. He was an associate member of the Jewish American War Veterans Sandy Weisberger-Leon Kaplan Post 165, Scranton. He was the national agent for the Marine Rose. Marty was the recipient of numerous rewards, most notably the Presidential Unit Citation & Star and the World War II Victory Medal. Marty was a parishioner of Prince of Peace Church, formerly Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 123 W. Grace St., Old Forge. He was preceded in death by sisters, Regina and Jeanette Damiano; and brothers, Dominick, William, Joseph, Nicholas, Fred and Frank. Martin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Romayne Schwab Damiano; his children, Joan Kane, of Nicholson, Pa.; Matthew Damiano and his wife, Irene, of Nicholson, Pa.; Linda Damiano, of Old Forge, and Karen Stahler and her husband, Terry, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; grandchildren, Kate and Ryan Stahler; a sister, Hazel Tacconelli, of Old Forge; a sister-in-law, Esther Damiano, of Old Forge; as well as several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Kasper and Dr. Smith, the nurses, nurses' aides, respiratory technicians, lab technicians, Pastoral Care, and staff at the Mercy Special Care Health Care Hospital, Nanticoke, for the exceptional treatment and care that they gave to Marty in his final days. The family would also like to thank the physicians, ICU nurses, respiratory technicians, Pastoral Care, social workers, medical records department, and staff at the VA Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, for the exceptional care provided to Marty while in the ICU. A special thank you is extended to the Honorable Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Ms. Bonnie Seaman and Ms. Theresa Dennis, of the Senator's Constituent Services Department, and the Honorable Congressman Paul Kanjorski and his staff, for all of their support and concern through Marty's hospitalization. We never could have accomplished our objectives without their help. Many thanks to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center's police officer, Albert, for his long friendship with Marty, and to Tom Brier, of Hershey, Pa., for his help offered to the family. The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Palmero & Zawacki Funeral Home Inc., 409 N. Main St., Old Forge, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Grace and Lawrence streets, Old Forge. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Old Forge. Friends may call Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercy Special Care Hospital, 128 W. Washington St., Nanticoke, PA 18634, and the VA Voluntary Services Department, VA Medical Center, 1111 East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.