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March 22, 1937 – Sept. 27, 2014

CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A funeral mass for Gerald Anthony Martello, 77, of Baker, Fla., who died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, surrounded by his children and loving wife, Bernice, when his battle with cancer ended, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview. He departed this Earth for an abundant life in heaven and today, he is whole, celebrating with his heavenly Father.

Burial will follow at Aubrey Jordan Memorial Cemetery in Baker under the direction of Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview, Fla.

Holy Rosary will be from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Visitation will be until 8:30 p.m., all at the funeral home.

Gerald was born March 22, 1937, in Hattiesburg, the son of Tony and Ernestine Martello. He lived in Natchez until making his home in Baker. The Baker community enriched his life as he developed a number of friends and loved ones since 1964.

He married the love of his life, Bernice, and for the past 53 years they loved together, they had a beautiful family. He and Bernice were members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview for more than 50 years.

Gerald was a charter member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus, a fourth degree Knight and a brother to a number of other Knights.

Gerald attended high school at Cathedral High School in Natchez where he developed his passion for the game of basketball. He continued at Copiah-Lincoln Community College where he would have been inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Co-Pi Alumni Association Oct. 11, 2014.

His love of basketball continued and was shared between his children, along with numerous Baker and local youth. A number of young men still refer to Coach Martello as one who gave guidance and motivation to the future leaders of the Baker community.

Gerald devoted his life to children through a career as an educator for more than 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Robert Martello; and one son, Vincent Anthony Martello.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Chris Martello of Baker and Michael Martello and wife, Lee, of Crestview; one daughter, Tena Battistelli and husband, Frank, of Cibolo, Texas; two daughters-in-law, Teressa Martello and Darla Martello; eight grandchildren he deeply loved, Katrina Figger and husband, Matt, of Columbia, S.C., Mia, Rice and Madison Martello, Vince and wife, Jacqueline, Kala and Angelo Battistelli and Carson Martello; one great-grandson he adored, Vincent Anthony Martello II and was anticipating the arrival of his first great-granddaughter, baby JennaLeigh Battistelli; one sister-in-law that he shared a deep love for, Donna Martello and daughters, Melinda and Robyn, all of Natchez; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. Family and faith meant everything to Gerald.

Bernice and family invite all former basketball players of Coach Martello to be honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Care Center.

Online condolences may be sent to whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com.