BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University Department of Athletics mourns the passing of former quarterback, football assistant coach and 1991 Moravian Hall of Fame Inductee Gary Martell '76, P '07 who passed away on June 30, 2024.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of Gary's passing," stated Director of Athletics and Head Women's Basketball Coach Mary Beth Sprik. "He was a friend and supporter to the entire Moravian Athletic department, not only the football program. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family."
This past fall at halftime of Moravian's game versus The Apprentice School at Rocco Calvo Field, the Greyhounds honored Martell on his 50th year with the Moravian program. Martell joined the Hounds on the gridiron in 1969 as a player for four seasons before signing a professional football contract with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League.
While on the field for the Blue & Grey, Martell served as a team captain, quarterback, and all-around player. He finished his career completing 102-of-202 passes for 1,139 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran the ball 207 times for 939 yards and ten touchdowns, and Martell had eight receptions for 97 yards and a score, 17 punt returns for 113 yards and six kickoff returns for 214 yards and a touchdown against Wagner. He also won the Ed Schedler Award as the Homecoming Game MVP and was selected to the All-Pennsylvania Team and the ECAC All-Star squad while setting five school records in his senior season. He was named the 1972 Comenian Athlete of the Year.
Martell returned to Moravian in 1974 to finish his degree and began his long career as an assistant coach under the tutelage of Rocco Calvo that continued under Ed Little, Scot Dapp, Jeff Pukszyn and Jeff Long. Since his start as a player, Martell was part of 494 games for the Greyhounds with 233 victories and seven ties, a pair of Middle Atlantic Conference titles, one in 1970 as a player and one in 1988 as a coach and two NCAA Division III Playoff appearances as a coach in 1988 and 1993.
In helping raise money for the athletic department, Martell was instrumental in starting the Blue and Grey Club, and he also served as the longtime chair of Moravian's Athletics Hall of Fame. Outside of Moravian, Martell worked for the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem from 1977 through his retirement in 2019. In 2023, Martell was given the Haupert Humanitarian Award at Moravian's Night of Shining Stars event. He served as President of the Varsity M Club.
Martell is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara H. Martell '73; his daughters, Colleen, Erin (and her husband Brian), and Maureen; sons, Shawn '07 (and his partner Robyn) and Ryan (and his partner Taylor); his grandchildren, Rose, Fiona, Emmett, and Violet.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 4-7pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18017. A viewing will also be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 from 9-10:15 am at Connell Funeral Home. Words of remembrance will be shared at 10:45 am at St. Anne's Church, 450 E. Washington Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery following Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem at https://givebutter.com/donateBGCOB, or to the Moravian University Football Team through the Moravian Blue and Grey club at https://raisedonors.com/moravianuniversity/moravianathletics.
For full obituary, please visit www.connellfuneral.com.
