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Dennis Martino Obituary
Dennis Paul Martino, 76, passed away peacefully at home in Santa Rosa, California on February 24, 2022 after a long illness. Dennis' life was one well lived, and he will be greatly missed.
Dennis was born in San Diego on October 29, 1945. The Martino family later moved to San Francisco, where Dennis lived until he moved to Santa Rosa, California, in 2002. While living in San Francisco, Dennis attended St. Ignatius High School, graduating with the Class of 1963. Dennis loved sports, and played on both the football and basketball teams at St. Ignatius. He went on to graduate with an AA degree from City College, after which he attended the University of California at Berkeley.
In 1967, Dennis became a San Francisco Firefighter and retired after 32 years of service. During his years in school and in his career as a firefighter, he made many lifetime friends he would join for outdoor adventures, such as backpacking in the Sierras, mountain biking, hiking, and whitewater rafting.
Dennis also loved to travel and he especially enjoyed his trips to Africa and Nepal. He loved to tell his stories of camping on Mt. Kilimanjaro and Denali. He was an amazing photographer who chronicled his adventures with books of beautiful landscapes and nature photographs.
Dennis' love of adventure was only surpassed by his love for his family, especially daughter Kirsta and grandchildren Ava and Lilli. He was predeceased by his parents, Alfonso and Shirley (Hynes) Martino, and brothers Douglas (Joan Vellutini) and Derrick Martino.
He is survived by his partner, Margaret (Peggy) Fraze, daughter Kirsta Martino, grandchildren Ava Moore and Lilli Moore, and many cousins.
The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life in Spring. In honor of Dennis' love of the outdoors, you may wish to plant a tree in Dennis' memory at www.alivingtribute.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Martino
St. Ignatius High School Class of '63
April 11, 2022
Graduation
St. Ignatius High School Class of '63
April 11, 2022
No. 30 of the AAA Round Robin Champs
St. Ignatius High School Class of '63
April 11, 2022
"Heavy Duty"
John Horton
March 29, 2022
John Horton
March 29, 2022
John Horton
March 29, 2022
John Horton
March 29, 2022
John Horton
March 29, 2022
John Horton
March 29, 2022
"Memories....Let them fill your mind, warm your heart, and lead you through." Although this comforting quote has been stated many times over, its message still resonates.
Just two weeks before Dennis' unexpected passing, my brother Dave and I stopped by his Santa Rosa home, for what was to be our last visit. Too much time had (regretfully) passed. However, in typical "Martino" fashion, it was as if we had picked up where we last left off.
As Dennis reached back into the archives of his life, he shared stories of old friends and comical adventures. We reminisced of our summer hikes to the top of Half Dome, in Yosemite. He proudly spoke of his contribution to the 49er Faithful, as a young entrepreneur, cleaning the Kezar Stadium bleacher pads in his Beulah St. garage, as a side gig, before the 49er games. We laughed at the commonality of renting out the garage space for Niners fan's cars. He also shared a story of putting a scratch in Joe Dimaggio´s car and buffing it out (as best he could) before Mr. Dimaggio returned from the Niners game. He even remembered being turned away by a player who wouldn't sign his autograph, after a disappointing game with the Green Bay Packers.
Dennis was part of a handful of dear family friends from the "hood" (aka: The Haight). He shared a common bond with my youngest brother...SFFD and Station 12. Whether he was just taking that stroll with his dog (with that trademark broad shoulder swagger), or just picking up some groceries in Cole Valley, if you ran into him, he always made it a point to stop and chat. His colorful stories and dry sense of humor also kept you engaged.
Done too soon....but thanks for the memories!
Kelly Barry
March 15, 2022
My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family. Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength. He will be sorely missed, but I am picturing him up there with Shirley
Mary
March 14, 2022
May you Rest In Peace , I know you gave Shirley a huge hug xx,
Thank you for all the kindness you showed us and for taking Megan and Kelly to see the Giants !
Joe Hallisy
March 7, 2022
I ran the FLAME Program for the last six years of my SFFD career. We had volleyball, basketball, and baseball leagues and tournaments, fishing trips, and boxing instruction for City youth. We received no outside financial help. The Program survived on donations
from active and retired members of the SFFD. Over the course of his career, no one gave more money to FLAME than Dennis. When he retired, he gave even more.
There are thousands of boys and girls that took advantage of these activities over the years and
they all owe Dennis a debt of gratitude. RIP my friend.
Bob Schafer
March 6, 2022
Lived across the street from "Marbles" on 22nd Avenue...St Monica & SI. Wonderful human being, and good friend. Humanity is diminished with his death.
Mike Sullivan
March 6, 2022
Dennis was a good friend since our high school days at SI. He was a great guy who loved any adventure before him. As juniors we hitchhiked to Newport Beach to impress SoCal surfer girls. It didn´t work!
Condolences to his family.
Kirsta G Martino
March 5, 2022
Lilli wants to know how heaven is!? We love you and know that you are watching over us!!
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