John A. "Marty" Martishius

Obituary John A. ‘Marty’ Martishius John Anthony Martishius, Jr., 93, of Green Cove Springs, FL passed away on September 20, 2022. He was born to John & Helen Martin on September 16, 1929 in Chicago, IL. ‘Marty’ graduated from Lane Technical School, Chicago and then joined the United States Navy in March 1947. He attended several naval schools including nuclear power and advanced to the rank of Chief before retiring as nuclear power technical operator in September 1962. During his career in the Navy, he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Baltimore CA 68. As part of the ship’s rendering, it saluted at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He was the first naval recruiter on the island of Puerto Rico. It was here he met his first wife, Kerry and had 2 children, Jeanne Adele and Ralph. Early in his naval career he was know as a “slick arm” first class. He was also assigned to many shore billets even though he had a seagoing rate. He was a boiler tender or BT, now known as MM. He retired from the Navy in 1962 and settled in Virginia Beach, VA. After his retirement from the Navy he embarked on a second career in real estate as a broker and property manager of 150 houses. It was there he met his wife Penny, who had recently moved to Norfolk, VA. She was a widow with 2 small children, Laura and Jason. They met when her real estate agent recommended Marty as a car mechanic. They have been inseparable ever since. She joined him at the real estate office as a licensed agent and later in the establishment of his third career as a photographer and photo restorer. For 15 years they photographed weddings, horse-jumping competitions, classic cars and worked at his special love of photo restoration. Marty and Penny’s life included raising the children, being very active in several churches as council and choir members, worship leaders, and several years on the softball team. Other organizations included the Shriners, USS Baltimore Reunion Committee, and he was a 32nd degree Freemason of the Scottish Rite. He also enjoyed shooting trap, racing and working on cars, hosting parties on the driveway, and generally being busy. Music was a great joy of his, too. Marty played the organ, accordion, and harmonica. His mother, father, and sister, Helen Marie, precede Marty in death. His wife of 46 years, Penny, children Jeanne Adele, Ralph, Laura and Jason, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren survive him. A memorial service will be held on October 7, 2022, at Advent Lutheran Church, 2156 Loch Rane Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073 at 10:30. Internment services at Jacksonville National Cemetery will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Via De Cristo Scholarship Fund