Martin George Belko

Middletown, RI - Martin George Belko, 84, USMC Retof 17 Wood Road, Middletown, RI, died suddenly at home on Saturday, April 19, 2008. He was the husband of Virginia Edward Belko, and father of Linda L. Burns of Middletown, RI, and the late Robin Mason. He was the grandfather of Trevor, Caleigh, and Colby Mason. Born in Perthy Amboy, NJ on Mar. 27, 1924, he was the son of the late Michael and Victoria Belko.Martin enlisted in the US Marine Corps after the surprise attach on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and served his country proudly, acquiring several medals, including the Purple Heart for wounds received in Saipan during WWII. He served all over the world, including the Pacific and Guadalcanal during WWII, the Korean Conflict and in Lebanon in 1958. In the early 1950s he served as a Marine recruiter in Moline, Ill. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1963, he worked for NUSC for more than 20 years, retiring in 1985. He was a stem cell donor for his daughter Robin, who lost her battle with leukemia last year. He loved attending sporting events involving his grandchildren, and he was a lifelong Yankees fan.His funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 10:00 am in Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport. Burial with Military Honors will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held Tuesday, April 22 from 5-8 in the Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Leukemia Society of America, RI Chapter, 1150 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920