John Martello

John Martello, 89, of Mentor, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family. John grew up in Ashtabula and was a proud graduate of Ashtabula High School. As a boy, he played every sport he could and loved telling the story of being invited to play baseball with the high school kids when he was just 10 years old. His athletic ability earned recruitment letters from several colleges to play football - letters his mother proudly saved - but an old knee injury ultimately sidelined those plans. Never one to stay away from competition, John later became an avid racquetball player at Heisley, even winning the club championship in his 60s. In later years, he transitioned easily to pickleball, happily playing with his wife, children, and grandchildren. John met the love of his life, Carol, while they both worked at Ohio Rubber. She was 19 and he was 21. They dated just six weeks before becoming engaged and married six months later. John knew a good thing when he saw it, and their marriage lasted 67 wonderful years. With Carol’s support, John completed his degree at Kent State University. During those early years of marriage, he also earned extra money using his pool skills while working in pool halls at Geneva-on-the-Lake. His oldest daughter’s first “job” was chalking his pool cue when she was just three years old. After graduating, John started Business Computer Systems - one of the earliest computer businesses in the area, back when the machines filled an entire room. The company evolved with rapidly changing technology and operated for more than 40 years. Later, he partnered with friends to open Grand Slam, a neighborhood favorite featuring batting cages, putt-putt golf, and ice cream. It quickly became a gathering place for local families, and John made sure plenty of neighborhood kids got their first jobs there. John was a coach at heart. He coached the Mentor Bantam Football League Vikings for many years and later Big Red softball for his two youngest daughters. Even after his coaching days ended, he continued offering encouragement from the sidelines. In later years, he could almost always be found at one of his grandchildren’s games. With 16 grandchildren, fall weekends often meant Friday and Saturday nights cheering at Kirtland or Lake Catholic football games. John will be remembered for his booming laugh, generosity, quick wit, and endless supply of stories. Above all, he was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren and cherished being part of their busy, joyful chaos. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his children: Mary Ann (Chris Noble) Martello, John Martello, Karen (Rick) DeMarco, Vickie Loncar, Angie (Mike) Malchesky, Johnna Berardi, and 16 grandchildren: Chelsea, Amelia and Olivia Noble; Andrew, Anthony, and Sophia DeMarco; Ryan, Owen, and Louie Loncar; Mikey, Mallory, Joe, Pete, and Annie Malchesky; Nick and Gia Berardi; and 2 great-grandchildren: Sadie and Rowan. John is predeceased by his sons: Angelo & Anthony Martello; parents: Paul and Mary Martello; sisters: Antionette Imbrogno, Loretta Martello, and Mary Jo Brown and son-in-law: Lou Loncar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Divine Word Church, 8100 Eagle Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094. Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made to Divine Church, 8100 Eagle Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094. Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

John Martello

February 1, 1937 - March 28, 2026