Avon PD Mourns Passing Of Longtime Police Chief

AVON, CT — Back in the day, longtime Avon Police Chief James A. Martino Jr. was the man in charge of the rural town's law enforcement and a stalwart of the community.

That didn't change when he retired in 2001, but according to the men and women in blue occupying the police station these days, his presence never left.

In fact, he regularly brought officers cookies to show his appreciation for their work while still helping others.

Martino, a former chief of the Avon Police Department and co-founder of the Avon Food Pantry, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the age of 88.

A resident of Avon since 1960, Martino joined the police department that year and rose through the ranks before being named chief in 1983. He served in that role until his retirement in 2001.

His influence never waned.

In a statement Thursday, Avon Police Administrative Division Lt. John F. Schmalberger said Martino remained closely connected to the department long after retiring.

“Even though Chief Martino left the department in 2001, he was a regular presence at the department, often stopping in on the evening shift to check in on the officers. He always brought cookies," Schmalberger said in a statement.

"He was also known to show up to job sites where an officer was working private duty to chat and bring water. He served as a role model to most of us at the department and will definitely be missed.”

Born in Hartford to the late James A. Martino Sr. and Mary (Mazzala) Martino, he graduated from Hartford Public High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War.

He later earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Community College, citing the need for a degree to advance within the police ranks.

Martino also graduated from the FBI Academy and served as the past president of the Connecticut Chiefs of Police Association.

His honors included UNICO Citizen of the Year and Avon High School Citizen of the Year in 1985. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus.

Beyond law enforcement, Martino and his late wife, Barbara (Whalen) Martino, founded the Avon Food Pantry in their basement.

In 1963, the pantry moved to the lower level of the Church of Saint Ann, where it continued serving residents in need.

According to his obituary, Martino “was a humble volunteer – never looking for accolades, but willing to do any task needed,” and lived with what his family described as a “Servant’s Heart.”

Family members said he treasured time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren, particularly summers at a rented cottage on the Rhode Island shore.

Martino is survived by his sons, James A. Martino III and Harold W. Martino, both of Avon; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Ann Muscillo of East Hartford; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, his brother Joseph, and his sisters Frances Siniarski, Gloria Montano, and Margaret Derderian.

Calling hours will be held Monday, March 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Avon Food Pantry, care of the Avon Department of Social Services, 60 West Main St., Avon, CT 06001.