Alfred S. Martorano

Alfred “Fred” Martorano, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2008 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph . Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Monday at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor . Friends may call from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd. , St. Joseph . Memorials may be made to Lakeland Outpatient Dialysis Unit or Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Martorano was born December 12, 1934 in Sodus Township to Joseph & Mary (Mucia) Martorano. Fred graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1953 and went on to trade school to become an electrician. He served his country in the US Army from 1957-1959 stationed in Germany. On January 18, 1964, Fred married the former Sharon Mundt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet. He was employed by Bechtel Power Co. from 1978-1987, and by Koonst-Wagner in South Bend, retiring in 1996. Fred was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish in Benton Harbor, IBEW #153- South Bend, and NEBF. Fred cherished the time he spent with his family. He was an active participant in the planning for his high school reunions. Listening to music and singing were his passions, and he was known to break out in song no matter where he was or what the occasion. In his spare time, Fred loved tending to his yard. Fred is survived by his wife Sharon; his daughter Debra (Mark) Pickens of Stevensville; his son Michael (Kelly) Martorano of White Lake, MI; his new grandson Samuel Pickens; his brother Jack Martorano of Watervliet; his sister Roselyn (Joseph) Sax of Stevensville;his father-in-law and mother-in-law Lester & Adell Mundt of Watervliet; his brother-in-law Frank Barry of Stevensville; and sisters-in-law Mitzi Martorano of Benton Harbor, and Imogene Martorano of Michigan City, IN; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-Peter & Leo Martorano, and his sister Mary Barry.