Obituary of William Louis DeMartino

William (Bill) DeMartino, 89, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2016 in State College, PA. Bill was a loving, energetic man, who cared deeply for his family members and the community. He was greatly involved in the lives of both his children and grandchildren, and often went out of his way to provide assistance and kindness to those who were lucky enough to know him. He loved music, especially Jazz, as well as the theatre arts, and entertained audiences on the radio during the early days of broadcast. He is survived by wife Theresa; sons William, Denis, Joseph (Yvonne), and daughter Beth Dougherty (Frank); grandchildren Theresa and Daniel Dougherty, and Jackie and Peter DeMartino; sister Annie Woodward (James-deceased). He was preceded in death by parents Louis and Lydia, and stepmother Mary; brothers Pat and Louis. Bill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 21, 1926 to Louis DeMartino and Lydia Drippan. He attended Erie Tech High School in Erie, Pa and graduated in 1944. From age 13, he worked in his father's shoe repair shop—Custom Shoe Repair—and became a skilled cobbler. During World War II, Bill served as a corporal in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1944 to 1946, where he worked in communications. For his service, he was awarded the Military Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic - Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, and Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), as well as an Honorable Discharge. On May 30, 1951, he married wife Theresa Marie Mariella in Erie, PA. The two moved to State College, PA in 1962, where Bill was employed as a vending supervisor at Penn State University until his retirement in 1992. After retirement, he continued to serve customers as an employee of Weis Market and The Dollar Store. He and his family have long been active members of the Our Lady of Victory Parish, and Bill was also a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus of the Father O'Hanlon Council. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801, with The Most Reverend Father Neil Dadey officiating. Internment will be immediately following in Pine Hall Cemetery in State College. Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Victory Preschool, 810 Westerly Pkwy, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.