Bidding farewell: There was no one like former sports editor Leo Martonosi
HOLLAND — For more than a half century, Leo Martonosi was a fixture in area sports.
Forty of those years were spent at The Holland Sentinel, where he covered local sports with a vigor that's kept him in the minds and hearts of residents for years.
Martonosi died Sunday, Jan. 28, at the age of 80 — and, with him, an era of sports history in West Michigan.
Not a month goes by that someone doesn't mention Leo to me or ask about him.
He hasn't worked at The Sentinel in more than 10 years, but to sports fans in the area, he's synonymous with The Sentinel. It's like he never left.
Of course, after four decades in one place, it's understandable. Forty years is a long time to be in one profession, let alone in one place. I'm about halfway there, and Leo continues to inspire.
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There's nobody quite like him — constantly upbeat, chatty and excited. I wish I had that exuberance.
For my part, I am thankful we crossed paths. We worked together for a couple of years before his retirement and there was a lot I picked up from him in my first years as a professional.
The main thing was getting to know athletes and coaches. The better you know them, the better the stories that generally follow. I was actually stunned to find out he was from Gladwin and didn't grow up here.
That was his passion, and it's a passion he's passed on to all of the sports editors that followed. There's a special connection between Leo, Lee Lamberts, Greg Chandler, Gary Brower, Alan Babbitt and myself.
It's a feeling of continuing the legacy that Leo (and others) built here.
Leo built that legacy with his family as well.
He leaves behind his loving wife and best friend of 58 years, Bianne. He is also survived by his children: Lisa (Jim) Wilson of Allegan and Dena (Chuck) Cauvel of Wayland — plus three grandchildren: Andrew (Robin) Wilson of Allegan, Dylan (Jill) Wilson of Gobles, and Emma Martonosi of Wayland. He had two great-grandchildren: Haylen and Hudson.
He is also survived by his sister Tina (Matt) Martonosi of Flint, sisters-in-law Kathy Prell Martonosi of Holland and Peg (Jodi) Clerc of Breckenridge; a brother-like cousin Chuck (Linda) Newman of Gladwin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a visitation from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Lakeshore Memorial Services — 11939 James St. Attendees should wear their favorite sports attire to honor Leo.
There will also be a visitation at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church — 480 152nd Ave.
A funeral mass service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Graafschap Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or Gentiva Hospice.
— Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at dan.d’addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Bidding farewell: There was no one like former sports editor Leo Martonosi
