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Martinelli served as the city's mayor from 1974 to 1979 and from 1982-1987.
“Our hearts are saddened today,” said Yonkers Mayor Spano. “We have lost a great man, a selfless public servant and a beloved father and grandfather. Mayor Martinelli is synonymous with Yonkers in every way and his contributions to our city, like his legacy, will live on forever.
"Please keep his beautiful family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
During his tenure as mayor, Martinelli’s accomplishments were endless. He is responsible for reactivating the Yonkers Police Athletic League (PAL), he re-constituted the Yonkers IDA, conceived the historic Putnam Rail Line, began the annual holiday celebrations in Getty Square, brought back the historic Yonkers Marathon to the city and founded the popular Yonkers Farmers Market.
Martinelli is credited for beginning the renaissance of downtown Yonkers, particularly focusing on the Metro North’s Yonkers Train Station. His tireless advocacy set the stage for the restoration of the train station and was responsible for Amtrak making Yonkers a main stop on their routes north.
Last year, Spano honored Martinelli with the first-ever City of Yonkers Lifetime Achievement Award for a Yonkers resident. Mayor Martinelli was also honored earlier this year at Yonkers Train Station for his historic contributions and for making Yonkers the “Gateway to the Hudson Valley.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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