Coach Anthony S. Martino, age 93, of Hixson, passed away on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
He was born in Pittston, Pa.
He came south to play football for Scrappy Moore at the University of Chattanooga. He received a bachelor and a master degree in secondary and physical education while at the University of Chattanooga. While attending the University he met and married the love of his life for 70 years, Billie Jean.
He was employed at Hixson High School from 1952 until 1994. While there, he was line coach and head coach for football and became athletic director for 32 years. He coached boys and girls track, cross country, basketball and was an assistant wrestling coach. He was Coach of the Year in football, two time Coach of the Year in basketball, and two time Coach of the Year in cross country. He also won HCL Championship in football, five HCL Championships in basketball and he coached several athletes that placed in the top five in the state track meets. In 2007, Coach Martino was inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame, receiving the Walt Laur Award.
In the fall of 2006 the football field at Hixson High school was dedicated to Coach Martino and renamed Anthony S. Martino field. Coach Martino spent a lot of time working with the Hixson community to build the Hixson Community Stadium. He worked after school to help lay the ground work for the stadium. More than the love of Hixson, was the love of coaching and working with all of his athletes, who he spoke of often.
He was a member of the Sports Barn, where he enjoyed working out three to four times a week until COVID became too contagious.
He was a strong believer in his faith and was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His membership began when the church was downtown before moving to North Moore Road.
Coach is survived by his wife, Billie Jean; son, Tony (Donna) Martino; daughter, JoEllen (Gary) Collier; grandsons, Anthony (Rachelle) and Joseph (Marissa); granddaughters, Emily C. (Russell) Shelton and Amber C. (Jake) Reagan; and great-grandchildren, Chase and Courtlyn Martino, Braxtyn Martino and Breleigh Buckles.
Due to COVID restrictions, the family will have a private service on Friday, at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with, Pastor Courtney Kruegar officiating.
Pat Murphy, Michael Blosser, Brian Wilson, Chuck Stanford, Jim Coppinger and Gary Brown will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
There will be a Celebration of Life at another time to honor his memory.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Coach Martino’s name to First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 North Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411 or to Hixson High School Athletics, attention Garrick Hall, 5705 Middle Valley Road, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.