Martin Anthony “Marty” Apostolico, 93, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully on July15, 2026. He was born on September 25,1932 and was the beloved son of Martin Apostolico and Dominica Spadaro Apostolico. Growing up, Marty inherited his father’s tremendous work ethic, his mother’s deep faith, and both of his parents’ love of family. Marty lived his life deeply grounded in those principles. He never missed a day of work nor a Sunday mass and he always put his family first.
Growing up, Marty enjoyed collecting model trains and playing sports. He was a standout football player at Wilmington High School and received a scholarship to play at Ursinus College. He declined that offer so he could pursue Electrical Engineering at the University of Delaware where he excelled and was named the Outstanding Engineering Student of his class and graduated first in the Engineering program. Marty was the first in his family to graduate from college – working summers as a stone mason’s apprentice to pay his way. Marty was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and was Vice President of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Marty would go on to earn his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware while working full time and raising a family.
Marty participated in the ROTC program at UD and was a member of Scabbard and Blade, the national honorary military organization. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army serving as an officer (First Lieutenant) while stationed in El Paso, Texas and San Francisco, California. Marty often spoke of his military service as his second education as he learned so much about people from all walks of life.
Professionally, Marty had a long and distinguished career earning the respect of both colleagues and clients with his expertise and trademark honesty. His career had many highlights. While at the All-American Engineering Company and under contract with the United States Air Force, Marty was the lead project engineer on the only Satellite Display System in the world at the time. The system was featured prominently in Life Magazine in 1960. Under another contract with the United States Navy, Marty was the lead project engineer on the control panel for a 50,000 horsepower, land-based catapult system to launch aircraft. With just the push of a button, it would automatically launch aircraft safely and was used by the US Marines in the Vietnam war. Marty co-authored two patents. The first allowed the use of laser beams for road grading which greatly enhanced efficiency at a time when the nation’s extensive highway system was being built. The next patent had tremendous utility in that it put the patient’s name on the x-ray film in the DuPont X-Ray System.
During his time working for DuPont, Marty traveled extensively to Europe including dozens of trips to Germany. He developed a deep appreciation for German culture and made lifelong friends in his second country.
Marty’s greatest joy was his family. He married his high school sweetheart Kathleen Romagnoli Apostolico and together they raised four children. Family always came first for both of them and they were always willing to help in any way including babysitting their grandchildren. They greatly enjoyed traveling together. Through Marty’s service in the Army and his engineering career, they were able to travel extensively in the United States and Europe. Marty adored his children and never missed a game or activity if he could help it. He coached little league baseball for many years guiding his teams to two championships. Marty’s love of photography is preserved in the endless carousels of slides highlighting his travels, family activities, and neighborhood get-togethers with the original gang of Brookmeade II – a tight knit group that stayed close throughout their lives.
Kathleen passed away in 2019. Marty was a devoted husband and during his wife’s last years, he served as her primary caregiver spending every day at her side offering endless love and support.
Those who knew Marty well remember his intellect, deep faith, devotion to family and inner strength. Throughout his life, Marty spoke lovingly of his father, often referring to him as “the toughest man I knew.” Marty’s children all agree that Marty was the “toughest man they ever knew” as Marty channeled that strength into unwavering love and devotion to his family.
Marty was a passionate lifelong fan of Notre Dame Football. If they play for the National Championship this year, he promises to be watching from the 50 yard line.
Marty is survived by his four children Diane Cox (Allan), Susan Niziolek (Barry), Steven Apostolico (Marla), David Apostolico (Cindy), 16 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters Rosemary Barbas (Bill) and Dorothy D’Amico (Angie) and his grandson Jason Wallace.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jason Wallace Scholarship Fund. Checks should be mailed to HB DuPont Middle School (735 Meeting House Road, Hockessin, DE 19707) payable to the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Please put “Jason Wallace Memorial Fund” in the memo.
The family would like to thank the nurses, staff and administrators at The Lorelton who all took such loving care of Marty the past 2 years.
Visitation will be held at McCrery & Harra, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE on Friday July 24th from 6-8 pm. Funeral Service will be held Saturday July 25th at 11 am at St. John the Beloved, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery.
For online condolences please visit: mccreryandharra.com
