John Martinelli

(Edward) John Martinelli
John Martinelli, Madison native and longtime resident of Verona, WI, passed away at his home last week at the age of 81.
John was born on December 28th, 1943, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Joseph E. and Minnie Elizabeth Cox Martinelli. He was the second oldest of 4 children. He graduated from Edgewood High School in Madison in 1962 and in 1965 married classmate Joanne Hennessey Blackwell at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Madison.
John was employed as a milkman his entire working career, first for Bowman Dairy, then as an independent delivery man after Bowman Dairy was sold to Golden Guernsey. He retired in 2009 after 47 years on the job. In that time, he never once missed a day of work, waking up at 3:30 a.m. three days a week to provide dairy goods to the homes, businesses, schools, and daycare locations on the east and west sides of Madison. He never let illness or inclement weather keep him from serving the community which he cherished. He spent much of his life in Madison but moved to Verona three decades ago, where he lived his remaining years.
John was a fervent enjoyer of the outdoors, vacationing once a year to the mountains of Colorado before the infirmities of old age made traveling difficult. He was also a lover of basketball, always supporting his Wisconsin teams when they played. But above all, it was his passion for Rock & Roll and Blues music that bound many of his relationships and provided an outlet of expression for a man who was otherwise fiercely independent and reserved.
John Martinelli is survived by his former wife, Joanne Blackwell; his three daughters, Sheri McCormack, Vicki Martinelli, and Gina Lines. He is also survived by one brother, Richard Martinelli, and two sisters, Cindy Leggett, and Terri Martinelli. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.
His ashes will be scattered in the mountains of Colorado, where he found ultimate delight in the natural landscape of our country.