Arthur R. Martinucci

Arthur Ralph Martinucci, born in Erie on November 21, 1935, left the mortal world behind with gladness to dwell with his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit who guided his path; and God, his Father, to whom he was ever faithful, on September 9, 2023. His friends and family, though saddened by his death, know that he was filled with joy to be going home.
The grandson of immigrants, Art's life is a story of triumph over tribulation. Art's father wasn't present for much of his life; his mother, Mary Bruno, raised him on her own while working full-time. Despite this, Art grew up surrounded by family-aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends-in and around Erie's Little Italy. He loved to share stories of growing vegetables with his grandfather, Samuel; hitching rides across town on the backs of Erie's streetcars and trains; and once spending a night in Erie Cemetery on a dare. He often got away with minor pranks like that while his mother was away at work because neither Samuel nor Teresina spoke English...although his Uncle Johnny caught on more than once and made sure Art didn't get away without at least some consequence!
At the age of 17, Art left Tech Memorial High School and joined the Navy, serving during the late stages of the Korean conflict and after on the USS Cushing (DD-797) from 1953 to 1956. He was fiercely proud of his service in the Navy and credited it with putting his life on track for his future accomplishments, thanks to the guidance and support of his commanding officer who insisted that Art pursue-and attain-his GED through the United States Armed Forces Institute, which he did while at sea. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home to Erie. He would later continue his education by taking courses at both Gannon University and the Penn State-Behrend Campus.
Art worked part- and full-time jobs for WSEE, WICU, and WJET, piecing together a career more through diligence and on-the-job learning than by design or formal education. He first worked washing cars for the owner of WICU/WSEE, Edward Lamb. Taking note of the young man's drive, Lamb promoted him to custodian. After finishing work for the day, Art spent nights teaching himself to be a cameraman by observing, and later working with, Lamb's staff. During his 18 years in broadcasting, he made his way from cameraman to production to the executive offices at WSEE, and from there to a vice president's position at WQLN, where he and WQLN President Bob Chittester made the WQLN Auction one of Erie's premier social events in the mid-1970s.
Art's career took him from the world of broadcasting to the halls of government. After serving as Second Deputy Auditor General and briefly relocating to Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Art returned to Erie and spent 18 years as Regional Director for the Department of Community Affairs (now the Department of Community and Economic Development), where he served 3 governors (Governors Milton Shapp, Dick Thornburg, and Robert P. Casey, Sr.) and was a non-partisan champion of worthy community and economic development projects over a 14-county region in northwest Pennsylvania. In 1997, he was invited to serve as Regional Director in the Auditor General's office under both (now U.S. Senator) Robet P. Casey, Jr and Jack Wagner. Art would continue his work in government as a local representative for Senator Casey until his retirement. Many more-elected and appointed officials; business, religious, and community leaders; and just everyday people-will recall him as a source of good counsel and sage advice; a kind word; a willing, helping, hand; and as a man who knew how to (and more importantly, did) get things done.
Though he settled in Millcreek with his devoted wife, Helen Ann McLaughlin Martinucci, Little Italy remained close to his heart. A founding parishioner and volunteer at Our Lady of Peace, Art was part of the group that spearheaded the OLP Spaghetti Dinners, making tens of thousands of meatballs over the years using his personal recipe. Over the years, he also volunteered at St. Paul's summer festival.
Art served on the Board of Directors for the American Federal Savings & Loan Association, the Advisory Board of Northwest Savings Bank, and the volunteer boards of Reason for Our Hope Foundation; HANDS; Erie Civic Center Authority; Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie (past chairperson); the Board of Corporators for St. Vincent Health Center; the Borgia Fund; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Erie; 1935, left School for Boys (past president), Glenwood YMCA (past president), The Wolves Club of Erie, Den VIII (past president); The Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of Erie (past president); Cathedral Preparatory School; and the Sons of Little Italy. He was also a long-time member and past president of Professional Businessmen's Club (PROBUS), working to preserve, promote, and, most of all, share the enjoyment of Italian food and fellowship throughout Erie County. He was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans and the former Erie Maennerchor Club, as well as a member of the La Nuova Aurora Society, the Ice House Gang, the Italian Sons and Daughters of America, the Siebenbuerger Club, and the Danish Club.
Art received the Jaycees "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" award in 1966 and "Boss of the Year" award in 1973; the Erie Little Gridders Presidential Award in 1968; the GECAC Community Relations Award in 1986; the Millcreek School Board's Outstanding Citizen Award in 1992; and a "Success Story" by the Housing Authority of the City of Erie in 1998. He was named to the Cathedral Prep Hall of Fame in 1994 despite never having attended Prep, and was honored as a Ageless Remarkable Erieite at the 2014 Saint Mary's of Erie Gala for his untiring community service.
Art was an active member of the USS Cushing Ship's Association and spent years organizing reunions with his shipmates and others who served aboard the Cushing over the years, hosting them in Erie several times to share his beloved hometown. A dedicated disabled veteran, Art donated the Cushing's original ship's plaque to the VAMC Erie "Hall of Heros" in 2014.
Art was a man of great faith and devotion who now dwells in the Lord's embrace with all of his earthly family, including his mother, Mary Bruno Tetuan; half-brother, Vinnie Tetuan; stepfather, Vincent Tetuan; and dear cousin, Paula Bruno Bixby. He leaves behind his half-brother, Ralph Martinucci (and wife, Judy), of Cairo, Georgia; his beloved wife of 58 years, Helen Ann; their children, Arthur D. "Artie" (and wife, Deb), Tammy, and Patrick (and wife, Amy); and his nine grandchildren, Kellie-Sue (and husband, Luke), Jessica (and husband, Joe), Morgan, Rhiannon, Sam (and fiancée Adeline), Victoria, Luke, Max, and Carson, who truly filled his life with excitement, happiness, and love. He was a good man, a loving husband, father, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend. We will all miss "Papa" Art's stories, jokes, and joyous appreciation of life's earthly delights, especially family, good food and good friends.
Friends may call on Wednesday, September 13, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508; and are invited to a funeral Mass on Thursday, September 14, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 2401 W 38th Street, Erie, PA 16506. Burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Art's honor may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, or Reason for our Hope Foundation.