Dennis James Martino

Dennis James Martino, age 71, of Clermont, Florida, passed peacefully on May 8 ^th , 2023 in Baldwin, WI surrounded by family.

Dennis was born on January 24 ^th , 1952 to George and Margaret (David) Martino in Blue Island, Illinois.  Dennis grew up in the Chicago area, where he graduated from Bremen High School and started a family shortly after. Never a fan of the frigid midwest weather, Dennis later settled in sunny Clermont, Florida where he met his life partner Lillian “Elaine” Helson.  It was here that he retired after many devoted years with The Jones Group working as a General Contractor.

Dennis loved to travel through the years, especially with Elaine by his side. Some of their favorite trips together include Alaska, Canada and cruises in the Caribbean.  Dennis and Elaine made lifelong friends in Clermont and enjoyed many nights filled with card games, dominoes, laughter and memories they would always hold dear.

When Dennis wasn’t working or traveling you could find him in the kitchen. Driven by his own sweet-tooth, he loved baking delicious desserts, without ever seeming to follow a recipe and using obscure “secret ingredients.”  Additionally, he delighted in impressing his family with cooking dinner favorites such as chicken pot pie, his famous homemade pastas and many more.

Dennis also had a passion for the outdoors and sports. Whether fishing or hunting, he always had quite the entertaining stories to share afterward. The cherished stories continued when Dennis spoke of helping coach summer baseball in Clermont or watching his grandkids play the sport in Wisconsin. All that knew him are able to recount a classic and memorable “Dennis Story.”

Although Dennis loved many things in his life, nothing compared to the love that he had for his family.  He loved his children, nieces and nephews and had an immeasurable fondness for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His favorite title was Grandpa.

Dennis is survived by his beloved life partner, Lillian Elaine Helson; children: Amy (Vince) Graf of Cumberland, Daniel (Heather) Martino of Baldwin and Florence (Patrick) Dean of New Richmond; many grandchildren: Cabrina (Trevor) Halvorson, Kelsey (Trevor) Anderson, Kendall Martino, Keagan Martino, and Gabriel Graf; great-grandchildren: Amelia, Kasen, Colt, Remi, and Beau; siblings: Georgene McKee, Mary Beth Warszalek, and Anne (Dave) Hamby; former spouse Gail (Vanderploeg) Graf; along with many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Martino.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 21st 2023 in Chippewa Falls, WI at Flag Hill, within Irvine Park, from 11-4.  Memorials are preferred to the family.