Martin Edward Gullatta

Martin Edward Gullatta’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, October 19th, 2023 at DiCicco & Sons Funeral Home in Mayfield Heights, OH. Marty was born to Tony and Lily Gullatta on June 26, 1953 in Cleveland, OH. While he participated in activities such as baseball and wrestling, as one of five Gullatta boys Marty ultimately embraced the love of cars, motorsports, and making old things new. His love of racing led to many custom-built stock cars, hot rods, restorations, and even enshrinement in the Cloverleaf Speedway Hall of Fame. Marty was known for his strength. And while there are stories of his physical feats, such as lifting a 1970’s Monte Carlo out of a ditch, knocking a stuck door off of its frame in one blow, and throwing a racing tire (with the rim in!) over 20 ft, he was truly the strongest for his ability to love and support others. He married the love of his life, Sandra Fruscella, in 1973 after a very short engagement because he knew she was the one. They completed their family by adopting Matthew in 1980. Marty traded nights of welding and tinkering for travel baseball games and being an amazing dad. Through his long career at Swagelok and time as a Purchasing Manager at Young Regulator, Marty always found time to support Matt and Sandra with family trips, Friday dinners out, and family movie nights. He volunteered to help others, most notably as the longtime President of the South Euclid Boys Baseball League. He offered his mechanical expertise and advice to his brothers, nephews, and fellow racing enthusiasts across tracks in Northeast Ohio, and cherished his time with racing buddies at many a short track. Upon his retirement, Marty spent time with the also newly retired Sandra, watched so many automotive auctions and NASCAR races, and became the world’s best Pop Pop to his grandkids, Grayson and Gemma. His uncanny ability to entertain, sooth, and incite belly laughs in children is truly legendary. He further cemented his legacy as a top grandparent with two family trips to Disney in Florida.

Marty was welcomed suddenly to the afterlife on October 15, 2023. He was met by those who preceded him in death including his parents Tony and Lily, brothers Phil and Sam, cousin and partner in crime Sam Messina, and many cousins and friends. Marty leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Sandra, His son Matt (Kate), his two immensely loved grandkids Grayson and Gemma, brothers Anthony (Marge) and Tim (Rose), multiple nieces and nephews, and countless friends who he loved as family. His legacy of love and support lives on in these people. He is also survived by many labors of love, now home to other owners including a hot rod Model T, a `72 Monte Carlo with the vinyl top seam running down the middle of the roof, that one 1986 Camaro that he had for a little while, a 25th anniversary Corvette, a 1980 red Corvette, a 1996 Corvette, and project cars galore. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Marty’s Memory to the Tri-C Automotive Technology Program to share his love of working on cars with the next generation of mechanics and auto enthusiasts.The family will receive friends 10 am to 12 noon. Funeral service 12 noon with interment to follow at Knollwood Cemetery.