Martin Anthony Di Maria

Martin Anthony Di Maria, 59, of Bethlehem died Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg with his wife by his side.  He was the beloved husband of Catarina (Domingues) Di Maria with whom he celebrated 15 years of marriage on October 15, 2023.  Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Nicholas J. Di Maria, Sr. and Patricia (Merwine) Di Maria.  A 1982 graduate of Liberty High School, Martin completed his Bachelor Degree in elementary education at DeSales University, Center Valley.  He was a mental health worker and after school counselor for over 21 years at KidsPeace.  He was a substitute teacher for the Northampton and Bethlehem School Districts and also for Moravian Academy.  Most recently, Martin was a banquet captain and bellman for the Hotel Bethlehem for over 14 years.  He was a member of St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Bethlehem.  He was an avid San Francisco Giants fan who had an extensive baseball card collection and was a Baseball Stratomatic aficionado.  He and Catarina shared a love of Irish, Scottish and Welsh music.  Martin loved spending time with his children whether it was watching his older son play soccer or joining a pickup game of kickball with them and the neighborhood kids.  He was a connoisseur of tea. Green and black were two of his favorites.  Martin acquired his black belt ranks in Shorin Ryu Karate.  He had volunteer experience in the Caribbean for 20 years and also with the Sioux in South Dakota.  Martin was trusting, sincere, a good listener, charismatic, a big presence and a true friend and mentor.

Survivors: Wife; sons, Bruno and Diogo at home; siblings, Nicholas J. Di Maria, Jr. and his wife Mary, Patricia Major, Pasquale Di Maria and his wife Peggy all of Bethlehem; nephews; nieces.  His beloved dog Meala greeted him in Heaven.

Service: Funeral Mass 11:00AM Saturday, November 4, 2023 at St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, 450 East Washington Ave., Bethlehem.  Family and friends may call from 10 to 11:00AM Saturday, November 4, 2023 in the church.  Arrangements are being handled by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Martin’s memory to Dogs for Better Lives, Northeast Campus, 188 Nathan Ellis Highway, East Falmouth, MA 02536, https://dogsforbetterlives.org.    

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