Former resident John Martizia, a singer-guitarist of Pompano Beach, Fla., passed away Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, after a lingering ailment of Alzheimer's. He was 88.
John came to play in Florida in 1982 and soon became a much sought-after guitarist, playing in all the big hotels from Miami to Palm Beach. He played mostly as a single and as a leader of trios in The Breakers, The Polo and Golf Club of West Palm Beach and at the Boca Raton Hotel. Prior to moving to Florida, John made his home in Sun Valley, where he spent his winter days skiing and his summers fishing and hiking those "mighty mountains." Nights were spent playing guitar and singing with the Hap Miller Orchestra. Sometimes between his gigs in Sun Valley and Florida he spent a number of years traveling the country from one gig to another, most of the time taking his family along.
John is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Nona, and a grandchild, Osciana, of New York.