Al Martino Dies, 82

Many of you might know him as Johnny Fontane from the godfather, but actor and singer Al Martino’s mother in law– Verna Stilwell –remembers him as a wonderful son in law.

Al Martino died of a massive heart attack yesterday. He passed away in his home outside Philadelphia. Martino married Verna’s daughter–Judi–in December of 1968.

“She was a stewardess with American Airlines. She flew for 5 years before they were married, but she met him in the second year she was flying,” said Stilwell. “She met him in Cincinnati at the airport. He said he was sitting there, waiting to board, and he saw Judi come down the hall and he said, ‘That’s my girl.'”

Verna says, although Martino wasn’t from Zanesville himself, he did a lot for the community. She says he helped put together the Delores and Bob Hope Show years ago, as well as donating money to the Starlight School.

“he was just … He could just meet anyone and treated everyone just wonderfully. I couldn’t ask for a better son in law, she said.” “He was so generous, extremely generous to everyone. He just bought me a brand new car two years ago.”

Verna says services will probably be held in California.

Martino was the father to three children.

He was 82 years old.