John Steve “Tuna” Martin, 66, passed away unexpectedly, Jan. 19, 2019, at his home in Enfield, Connecticut. He leaves behind his wonderful wife of 34 years, Theresa Sangiovanni Martin and his children Sarah, Michael and Michael’s girlfriend Jordan Llodra. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to his late parents: John A. and Ruth Martin. His father was in the United States Air Force, so he traveled all over the country with his brothers Tom, Dan and Sean. There was nothing Steve loved more than his family and friends. He is survived by his brothers Tom and Dan; Dan’s wife Ann; Steve’s father-in-law Joseph Sangiovanni, his brother-in-law Joseph Sangiovanni Jr. and his partner Nathalie Hagan; his sister-in-law Anne Sangiovanni and her partner Kerry Harrelle; his godmother Jean McNulty and her children Eileen and Skip; 10 nieces and nephews: Quinn, Zach, Holly, Katie and Abby Martin; Jessica LeBlanc, her baby boy on the way and her husband Matt LeBlanc; Hunter and Riley Sangiovanni; Ashley Sangiovanni and Melissa Sangiovanni-Lloyd; as well as his extended family in Florida and Virginia. He leaves his best friend Paul Cunningham, Paul’s his wife Linda and their daughter Jessica, as well as the whole Cunningham family. Steve played softball for many years with the Enfield Men’s Rec. Softball League, where he met friends who developed into our “softball family”; which included: the Kraucunases, the Gigueres, the Tavinos, the Radkovichs, the Lincolns and many, many more. His greatest accomplishment was playing softball with his old teammates, their kids and his son Michael. Steve was a big Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan and enjoyed teaching his son and daughter everything about sports. His favorite pastime was playing golf with his sister in-law Anne, her partner Kerry and all his friends. Steve also had a huge heart for rescue animals. He leaves behind his 4 beloved cats and dog, Bear. Steve had many jobs in food service and met many great friends along the way. His last job was working for Allied Rehabilitation in Enfield as a driver for special needs adults. He loved his work friends/clients very much. Steve is predeceased by his godfather Robert Martin, brother Sean Martin and mother-in-law Emily Sangiovanni.
Friends and family may gather at Browne’s Funeral Home on 43 Shaker Rd. in Enfield, for a wake on Friday, Jan. 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 10:00 a.m in Holy Family Church (St. Jeanne Jugan Parish) in Enfield. Please go directly to the church; burial at St. Patrick’s King St. Cemetery will follow.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate in his name, there are a few charities he was very passionate about. Mutt Rescue INC. at 102 Grove Street, Chicopee MA 01020. CT Dog Gone Recovery Volunteers at www.CTDGRV.org. Lastly, Soldier On at 425 North Main Street, Building 6, Leeds, MA 01053.