Ernesto J. Dimartino

Ernesto J. DiMARTINO
June 6, 1922 - March 9, 2012

Ernesto passed away on March 9th, surrounded by his entire family, at Northwest Hospital in Seattle after a six-day struggle with pneumonia.
Ernesto was the first of two sons born to Italian immigrants Orsola Maria (Mary) and Nicola Vito (Nick), and they spent their early years living behind the family store, Nick's Fruit and Produce on Beacon Avenue. Ernie practiced his accordion in the back room, began giving lessons at the age of fifteen, and became well-known for his performances at Franklin High School.

After two years at the University of Washington majoring in music, Ernie interrupted his education to serve in the Navy during the Second World War. He took his accordion with him to the South Pacific, and played that same accordion with its keys yellowed by the sun at his 90th birthday party last summer.

Ernie returned from the war and married Mamie Lombard in Long Beach, California on January 28, 1945, six months after they first met. They had two sons, Nick and Greg, and settled in Seattle, where Ernie worked in produce in the same fruit stand on Beacon Avenue originally worked by his father and mother. Ernie and his brother, Nick, shifted gears into pre-packaging vegetables, became co-owners of Martino Products, and created the Presto brand.

For the first part of their married lives, Ernie and Mamie lived in an apartment near the fruit stand. In 1955, they built their dream home on Beacon Hill. Ernie went to work for Southgate Realty in 1963. He earned his real estate license and sold his first house in the same month. In 1971, he went to work at Varacalli Real Estate in Burien, where he worked until retirement in 1993.

Ernie was an excellent driver, worked out at a health club three days a week, played cards on Tuesday, golfed on Thursday, and maintained an extraordinary vegetable garden year-round.

He will be remembered for his infinite love of his wife Mamie, his warm smile and happy nature, the great pride he expressed in his loving family, his passion for all sports, especially golf, rarely missing his grandchildren's sporting events, and his love of family celebrations. Ernie was a wonderful man and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mamie; his sons, Nick and Greg (Beverly); his three grandchildren, Julia (Kevin), Jenny (Josh), and Paul; and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin Ernesto and William Gregory.

Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10:30 AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM BOTH Friday, March 23rd at Christ the King Catholic Church, 11701 Dayton Avenue North. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to Medic One, 325 9th Ave., Mail Stop #359747, Seattle, WA 98104; or The Food Bank at St. Mary's, 611 20th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144.