Martin Altini

Martin L. Altini, 76, of Prince's Bay, a retired human resources manager, cook and ice hockey coach whose top priority was his family, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born and raised in Astoria, Queens, he graduated from Long Island City High School. He moved to New Dorp in 1962 and to Prince's Bay six years later; he had lived in the community for 46 years.

Mr. Altini served in the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1958. A radioman third class, he was stationed in Argentia, Newfoundland. While on leave in St. John, the capital of Newfoundland, he met his future wife, Catherine Parsons, while playing tennis. The couple wed there a year later.
Mr. Altini had a 26-year career as a human resources manager at WUI/MCI Telecommunications, until retiring in 1985. He then was able to realize his long-held dream of becoming a chef, and operated Aldo's Pizza and Pasta in Pleasant Plains until 1989, when he hung up his apron.

He was a member of the Stolzenthaler Council, Knights of Columbus, Charleston.

Mr. Altini cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson. He enjoyed traveling back to Newfoundland with his wife to visit family, and also was fond of vacationing in St. Thomas and Cambridge, Mass.

An avid New York Rangers hockey fan, he had played roller hockey as a young man in Queens. He passed on his enthusiasm for the game to his three sons, who have been playing hockey since their dad taught them when they were little boys.

In 1997, Mr. Altini was recognized for his role as an assistant ice hockey coach at Tottenville High School, a position he held for more than 20 years. He was instrumental in starting ice hockey programs in Staten Island schools, his family said.

He was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking. According to his family, his specialty was anything Italian, and especially spaghetti and meatballs.

Surviving, along with Catherine, his wife of 55 years, are his sons, Michael, Steven and Brian; his daughter, Barbara O'Brien; 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

The funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Cremation will be handled by Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Friday, April 11, 2014 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, April 10, 2014 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home