Martin A. Passante (Marty), a longtime resident of Callicoon, New York, passed away on September 9, 2024. Marty was an institution in the Sullivan County Catskills and will always be loved, remembered, and honored by his family, friends, employees, and the entire community.

Marty was born on October 6, 1936, in the Bronx, New York. His parents were Martin (Ga-Gi) Passante and Virginia (Panarello) Passante. Marty’s mother passed away while Marty was still an infant. He was raised by his grandfather, father, and sister, Eleanor Cook, who nurtured in him his drive, ambition, and values. Marty attended grade school in Astoria, New York but never finished high school, further testifying to the amazement at what he was able to accomplish in his lifetime.

Marty enlisted in the United States Marine Corps when he was 18 years old. He served for 3 years at Twenty Nine Palms, CA being honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. The Marines were another strong influence in his developing character. The discipline he learned there was another factor that shaped his entire life.

Soon after being honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal, Marty married Carol (Aprea) and together they had three children, Linda, Martin, and Craig. They moved to Seaford, Long Island to raise their children. During this time, Marty was a salesman at Saks 5th Avenue, where he undoubtedly developed his sartorial sense and style. Soon after, he purchased Tropicana Juice routes, an adventure he shared with his dear friends Mike Pasqua, Jimmy Drago, and Tony (Nini) Baiamonte. Once again, this venture was an unmitigated success.

During this time, Marty explored another love of his life:  Theater. He acted in many plays and musicals throughout Long Island, starred in Off Broadway shows, a theater in Bridgeport, CT., as well as Forestburg Playhouse. Eventually, not being able to give up this treasured hobby, he brought shows to Villa Roma Resort, employing professional directors, stage managers and actors, while also making use of many of his employees in roles. These shows naturally included “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Anything Goes”, and “The Sunshine Boys”.

Next came an event that was life changing. While bow hunting in the Catskills, Marty came upon a small boarding house, called Villa Roma, owned by Ernesto and Hilda Vindigni. After a short negotiation, Marty sold literally everything he had and purchased the Villa Roma along with his partners, Danny Vaccaro, and Al Aprea, and as they say, the rest is history.

Marty was a hands-on operator. In the words of one longtime guest, it would not be unusual to see Marty cooking and serving meals, nailing sheet rock and roof shingles, operating a backhoe or bulldozer, greeting guests at dinner, and then finally acting as emcee at the nightclub show, often singing his signature song (After the Loving) or telling his signature joke (Two Russians riding in a jeep…). 

In 1972, Paul Carlucci joined the staff at Villa Roma as a bartender while putting himself through college. Paul is one of those exceedingly rare individuals that any business owner would be extremely fortunate to have on their team. Working his way through the ranks, Paul eventually became the Vice-President and part owner of Villa Roma. During the past 52 years, alongside Marty, Paul has not only been the most integral part of Villa Roma’s foundation, but also a major part of its long-standing success. He was Marty’s go-to person, his right-hand man. And they shared a lifetime of partnership and friendship built on hard work, loyalty, trust, and integrity. Like Marty, Paul always led the Villa Roma team of managers and staff by example. Never afraid to jump in whenever and wherever necessary. You would find him cooking in the kitchen, cleaning guest rooms, cleaning up after floods, and the list goes on. There was nothing Paul wouldn’t do to get the job done.

Marty was a visionary and always accomplished what he set out to do. Over the years, he expanded Villa Roma into a major resort hotel including, but not limited to, 175 guest rooms, 232 timeshare units, as well as new facilities:  an indoor pool, game room and arcade, an eight hundred seat nightclub, a tennis and racquetball center, fitness center, bowling alleys, 3 outdoor pools and hot tub, ski area and chalet, bumper boats, go kart track, zip line, and his ultimate pride and joy, the Villa Roma 18 hole PGA golf course.  As a result, Marty became an avid golfer and was particularly proud of his short game.

It would be remiss not to say that during these years, his wife, Marion, his best friend and partner in life, was at his side providing him with undying love, support, cooperation, and advice.

Marty was particularly generous with his time and resources for his family, friends, employees, and community including local fire departments, ambulance corps, hospital, and churches, to mention just a few. There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.

Marty was predeceased by his mother, Virginia, his father, Martin, his sister, Eleanor Cook and his nephews, Robert and Paul Weber.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Marion (Rutledge), his children, Linda Poltersdorf, Martin (Gina) and Craig (Kara) as well as 8 grandchildren, Bryan Sandler (Laura), Samantha Sandler, Michael Sandler (Sean), Martin (Jacqueline), Harrison (Jackie), Rozalyn, Isabelle and Charlotte, his nieces Carolann Cook and Virginia Michaels (Joel), nephew, Michael Parze, 7 great grandchildren as well as 10 great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Nora Rutledge, and Denise Mamuscia (Don). He is also survived by his cousins, Virginia Pawlak and Valerie Mastronardi.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Father Bob Higgins, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11 am at St George’s Church in Jeffersonville, New York, followed by interment and military services at Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville, New York, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Villa Roma Clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in honor of Martin A. Passante to:

St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Wounded Warrior Project or to Ride 2 Survive, Sullivan County.