The wake for Father Lawrence N. Martello will begin with vespers at 3 p.m. Aug. 28 in St. Joseph Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will preside with Father Phil Racco, pastor of St. Bernadette Church in Westlake, as the homilist. The wake will continue until 7 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB will celebrate Father Martello’s funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Aug. 29 in St. Joseph Church. The homilist will be Father Joe Hilinski, pastor of St. Barbara Church in Cleveland and diocesan delegate for ecumenical and interfaith affairs.
Father Martello, 76, died on Aug. 22. He was born Feb. 24, 1947 to the late Nicholas and Grace (Leonello) Martello. Father Martello was educated at Willoughby Elementary School, Willoughby Junior High School and Willoughby South High School, all in Willoughby. He also attended Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland. Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained him to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on June 8, 1974 in Gesu Church, University Heights. Father Martello’s first assignment was as parochial vicar of Holy Family Parish in Parma. On Sept. 27, 1976, he was appointed chaplain of Lorain Catholic High School with residence at St. John the Baptist Parish in Lorain. During this assignment, he also served as chaplain of the Lorain Serra Club, effective Nov. 11, 1981. In addition, Father Martello served as associate judge of the diocesan Tribunal beginning Sept. 21, 1983. He also was on the staff of the Permanent Diaconate program as coordinator of spiritual formation, effective March 14, 1985. On June 27, 1985, Father Martello was appointed parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville. He was transferred on March 29, 1989 to serve as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Amherst, where he served until his retirement on June 30, 2015. During this assignment, he also served as presbyteral convener of the Lorain District 1998-2004 and was a member of the College of Consultors 2000-2005.
Those who knew him said Father Martello was always kind and generous with his time and his priestly ministry. They said he had a wonderful ability to make people feel welcome and at home in his presence and that he would be remembered as a dedicated servant of the Lord.
Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon.