Silvio Thomas Martinelli

Palmer-Attorney Silvio Thomas Martinelli “Tom” 96, formerly of Agawam, passed away on June 15, 2022 following a brief illness. Tom was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on July 29, 1925 to May (Moriarty) Martinelli and Silvio Martinelli. He attended Springfield public schools and later graduated from Suffield Academy, Amherst College and Harvard Law School. His college education was interrupted when, at the age of 17, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army and fought in World War II. He saw combat in France, Germany and Belgium including the Battle of the Bulge and received a Bronze Combat Star. Tom began his law practice in Springfield in 1951 practicing first with his uncle, Tom Moriarty and his cousins Bernard and Thomas O’Connor and later with his daughter, Patricia and his cousin’s sons, Ben, Tom and Shawn O’Connor. He practiced law in Springfield for almost seventy years. Over those years he served as the City Solicitor for Springfield, the president of the Hampden County Bar Association, a member of the Board of Bar Overseers and taught for years as an adjunct professor at Western New England Law School. Tom loved the law. He considered it an honorable profession and was very proud to be a member of the bar. He practiced law the way he lived his life, with honesty and integrity. Besides the law, Tom’s other passion was all things outdoors. He loved mountain climbing, rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing, sailing, running (he ran 9 marathons, his last one at the age of 73) and almost any other outdoor activity. His two favorite spots were Nantucket and the White Mountains. He also had a love of art and enjoyed painting and sculpting. Above all Tom loved his family and we loved him dearly. Besides his parents Tom was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Zancan Martinelli and his sister, Rosemary Short. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia T. Poehler, Joan Martinelli and Susan Ernst, his son-in-law Jeffrey Ernst and his grandchildren Steven and Katie Ernst. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including one special niece, Ellynn Short. A wake for Tom will be held from 9-10AM on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam with a Liturgy of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 11AM, at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St., Springfield. Burial with military honors will follow in Agawam Center Cemetery, Agawam. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Perkins Library, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.