VINCENT P. MARTINO Jr.

Vincent P. Martino Jr., the Dean of Academics at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, passed away Tuesday afternoon, June 21, 2011, at South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Vineland, where he had been a patient for the past 11 days. He was a longtime resident of Vineland and was 67.

The husband of Helen (Uznanski) Martino, they were married 42 years ago on June 21, 1968. Mr. Martino was born in Bridgeton and was the beloved son of the late Vincent P. Sr. and Carmella "Millie" Martino. Raised in Bridgeton, he was a 1961 graduate of Bridgeton High School and received his Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from King's College in Wilkes Barre, Pa. While at King's College, he spent a semester abroad at the University of Valencia in Spain. Mr. Martino also received his Master's Degree in Secondary Administration and Teacher of Foreign Languages from Glassboro State College (Rowan).

For many years, he taught in the Vineland school system beginning in 1967 and teaching Spanish, English and social studies. He also held the title of Supervisor of Instruction and was the assistant principal in the 11-12 building from 1986 until he retired in 1991. While on the staff at VHS, he also served as a director of foreign field trips of language students and also organized the annual World Language Week and International Dinner. In addition, he was an adjunct Spanish professor at Cumberland County College. Mr. Martino's varied extracurricular activities included serving as the adviser of several clubs, including Spanish and School Spirit. He was an adviser to the marching band, the Spanish National Honor Society and the Student Activity Council. In addition, he served as the organizer of Mr. /Miss VHS and the faculty representative to the VHS Bank and Select Choir. For all his responsibilities and efforts as a teacher and administrator, he was named by the Vineland Board of Education as the "Administrator of the Year" in 1997.

In 1998, he joined the staff at the St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, where he served in a number of capacities as an educator and current Dean of Academics. Mr. Martino served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist as well as advisor of student government. His duties at the Prep were inclusive of almost every facet of the school's academic life. He was honored this past spring for his devotion to the school.

Mr. Martino's community activism included membership in the Bridgeton Area Jaycees, the Boy Scouts of America, the Sicilian--American Club, the Italian--American Federation, and the Vineland Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, the Parish Council of the church and the church's Liturgical Committee. In addition, Mr. Martino was a Eucharistic Minister and the Chairperson of Lectors at Sacred Heart. He was honored in 2007 by the Sicilian-American Club of South Jersey as the winner of their coveted Spirit of Achievement Award.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Vincent P. Martino III and his wife Shea, Joseph C. Martino and his wife Dana and Felicia M. Gonzalez and her husband William; six grandchildren, Gaillin, Cecilia, Joseph C. Jr., Carissa, Billy and Isaac; his mother-in-law, Sophia Uznanski; and two aunts, Dolly Fischer and Mary Ramsey. He also is survived by his sister-in-law, Maria (Leon) Nocito; his brother-in-law, Richard Uznanski (Louise); a niece, Kristina Messina (Dave); and numerous other family members.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday at Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral liturgy at The Parish of the Holy Cross/St. Teresa of Avila Church, 46 Central Ave., Bridgeton. Interment will take place in the family lot at Overlook Cemetery in Bridgeton. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and again from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday.

Memorial contributions are suggested for those who desire, to the St. Augustinian Scholarship Fund, 611 Cedar Ave., Richland, NJ 08350.

Written condolences and tributes may be sent to the family at freitagfuneralhome.com.