Albert D. DeMartin Jr. of Hamilton Square
Albert D. DeMartin, Jr.,
86, of Hamilton Square, former Hamilton Mayor and Superintendent of Hamilton Schools, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and family on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, on his 86th birthday.
Al was born in Trenton to Albert and Lucy (Agabiti) DeMartin. He was educated in the Trenton Schools and was a 1950 graduate of Trenton High School where he was captain of the football team.
He attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master’s degree from Rutgers University. Al served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1960.
An educator at heart, Mr. DeMartin began his teaching career in the Trenton Public School. Later, he would become Vice Principal and Principal in the Trenton district.
In 1979, he was unanimously selected as Superintendent of the Hamilton Township School System. As superintendent, he worked tirelessly to better the educational system and was instrumental in the building of several new schools. Many people knew Al through his community involvement. He was a member and President of the Hamilton Jaycees. He served on the township Planning Board. Al was elected to the Hamilton Township Committee and became Mayor of the township. He also served as Hamilton Township Business Administrator with Mayor Rafferty.
Al served on the Hamilton Public Library Board, Hamilton YMCA- Board of Directors and Hamilton Rotary Board of Directors. He was the recipient of many awards and commendations, which include the Fermi Foundation, the Verdi Civic Association, the Deborah Heart & Lung Center, the PTAs, and the Veterans of Foreign War. He was selected to be the Italian-American Hall of Fame’s “Man of the Year”. He received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow from the Hamilton Rotary, one of his favorite organizations.
Throughout his career, Al was instrumental in helping build the Hamilton Public Library, the Hamilton YMCA, Hamilton Hospital, Veteran’s Park and several schools. All of which helped to make Hamilton the great community it is.
As a Realtor, Al was owner and broker of DeMartin Realty. He proudly sold many of his former students their first homes. He worked in real estate for many years moving on to work with Simone Realty and founding, with his nephew, Thomas DeMartin, Pinnacle Realty.
A delightful storyteller, Al would keep his friends and family enchanted with his many tales. He got his first taste of politics as a young elevator operator in the Congressional Office Building in Washington, D.C. and frequently told of the many humorous escapades of the Congressional members.
His trips through Europe with his wife, Carol and good friends, Bob and Kathy Callahan were also famous tales. Seeing the Alps visiting Zermatt, as well as sleeping and dining in Irish castles were some of his most precious memories. A trip to Paris was also quite memorable.
Predeceased by his parents, Albert and Lucy (Agabiti) DeMartin; his brother, The Honorable Judge Thomas DeMartin; and sister-in-law, Joan DeMartin; he is survived by his beloved wife, Carol; his children, Donna Franco and Richard DeMartin; his granddaughter, Megan Franco; his sister and brother-in-law, Annette and Joseph Wysocki; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will begin on Monday, April 23, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 23, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ 08690.
Interment will follow at St. Mary’s in Hamilton.
Visitation for friends and family will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Monday, April 23, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at the Saul Colonial Home.
A special thank you to Marsha, Jeanette and Nicole who took such great care of Al. He loved you all. Also, a thank you to Vitas Hospice Care for their wonderful help at this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Al’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice by visiting In Memory Of at www.inmemoryof-memorial.org.
www.saulfuneralhomes.