Joshua John-Edward Martinelli

Captain USMC - Vietnam December 26, 1943 – May 31, 2026

Josh Martinelli, 82, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away on May 31, 2026, at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Severna Park, Maryland. Josh mentored countless Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy for more than two decades in Young Life clubs and the weekly Taverns. The tavern concept came from Chuck Swindoll who wrote “Lessons from a Tavern” after a Marine Corps buddy told him, “The only thing I still miss is that old fellowship I used to have with all the guys down at the tavern…I no longer have a place to admit my faults and talk about my battles.” Josh took Swindoll’s tavern lessons to heart, implementing them with the USNA athletic teams. Taverns are a safe place to be known and not judged, and in the Tavern, everybody gets a chance to tell their story. Here is Josh’s story. Joshua was not his birth name. His given name was John Edward Martinelli, born on December 26, 1943, at 12:30 a.m. in Chicago, Illinois, to Albert and Sylvia (née Zabka) Martinelli. This was war time – when daylight savings was observed year-round. Josh loved to talk about how his dad told him he shared a birthday with Jesus! Josh grew up on the south side of Chicago in the historic neighborhood of Pullman where the Martinelli family were neighbors of the famous Pullman factory. The middle of three brothers, Josh was part of a large extended family with over fifty first cousins; his father was one of nine siblings and his mother one of twelve. He was a talented clarinetist and baseball player back in the day. Josh graduated from Fenger High School in 1961 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Science from Northwestern University in 1965. During his Northwestern years, Josh accepted Jesus at a Billy Graham Crusade at Chicago’s McCormick Place in 1962. It was the start of a great adventure for him. Josh joined Young Life ministry after graduating from college, and his first assignment was Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he was confronted with the difficult questions of the Vietnam War. Although he was exempt from the draft with a minister’s deferment, he felt conflicted and unprepared to give advice to the young people he served. Josh decided to give up his deferment and join the Marines. Josh served our country from 1968 to 1971 as an artillery officer, and on July 1, 1972, he was appointed a Captain of the United States Marine Corps. His military records tell the story of an outstanding Marine who rose through the ranks. Josh received several medals and repeated high praise from his commanders, but he never talked about that. He did, however, share a story from his Vietnam years that solidified his life trajectory: when a young, enlisted man in a foxhole confessed to him, “Sir, I’m afraid to die,” Josh determined to devote his life to ministry because no one should be afraid to die. Josh returned from the war to do just that and accepted the position as Young Life Area Director in Norman, Oklahoma where he led Young Life Clubs at various high schools in the Norman school district. In the spring and summer of 1974 while visiting Europe, Josh spent time at L’Abri Fellowship retreat in Switzerland – another highlight that would shape his life. Francis Schaeffer himself baptized him. It was then and there that John Edward took his baptismal name of “Joshua” as his new name. From then on, he went by Josh. Continuing his ministry in Norman, Oklahoma, and seeing the challenges so many kids faced in their homes, Josh felt called to family counseling. He started by taking a few courses at the University of Oklahoma, where he played fullback on the rugby team. With an education in mathematics, he needed a different degree to reach his new goal. While on a ski trip, new friends (he never met a stranger) recommended Memphis State University to him. There, he took undergraduate and graduate courses in clinical psychology. And from Memphis it was on to California where Josh received his advanced degree at Fuller Seminary. “ABD” he liked to say…all but dissertation. Josh grew a practice in San Fransisco and, later, Seattle, and then came the opportunity at the United States Naval Academy. He started as an Adjunct Professor of Leadership, Ethics, and Law, but soon devoted all his attention to Taverns and Young Life clubs. Thousands of Midshipmen have attended over the years, and his ministry partners continue to invest in the lives of the Mids. Those who participated in his Young Life clubs knew a favorite saying of his: The Gospel is the only story where the hero dies for the villain. And one of the ways the teams shared with each other were his 5 “H’s”: History, Highlights, Heroes, Heartaches, and Hopes. If Josh were to answer his own question, who are your heroes? Jesus would be at the top of his list. And if he were to answer the question, what is your hope? Josh would say to be with Jesus. He never married, but the Midshipmen he mentored throughout the years were the children of his heart. He truly loved them, and they loved him back. Although Josh never played rugby for Navy, in 2021, Josh was inducted into the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame in recognition of what Tavern meant to the team. In addition to his ministry at USNA, Josh was a member of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis where he also served as an elder. Whether in church leadership or on the yard, his focus was always outreach. Besides the many Midshipmen, USNA alumni, and friends that are part of his broader family, Josh is survived by an older brother, Allan, and a younger brother, Ken (Sherri); nieces Cambria (Jon) and Danielle (Jeff); nephew Scott (Karen); great-nieces Ada, Evie, and Venessa; and great-nephews Waldon, Griffen, and Lucas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Sylvia. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 1400 (that’s 2:00 p.m. to you civilians), at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, 710 Ridgely Ave, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. After the service, we will have a Tavern … with Josh in the open seat this time! Please come prepared to share stories, something he taught you, or a way he shaped your life. Josh will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery; date to be determined. It was Josh’s desire for Taverns to continue beyond his life. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his legacy, donations toward USNA Taverns can be made by visiting the link HERE. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

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