Martin A. Pillar, Jr.

Martin A Pillar, Jr. 89, of Bethlehem, passed away Monday, August 1, 2011 at Hospice of the VNA of St. Luke's in Bethlehem. Born in Sparrows Point, MD; he was the son of the late Rose Perom and Martin Pillar, Sr. He was the loving husband of Victoria R. Shelesky Pillar. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past January.

Martin was the owner and operator of Open Gate Hotel on Freemansburg Ave. in Easton, PA. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and various social clubs in the Lehigh Valley.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Victoria, son, Martin A. Pillar, III and wife Gail, daughters, Victoria, wife of Thomas Papp, Susan Kemmerer and Sharon, wife of William Gregus. Grandchildren, Jennifer and Janelle Schoener, Bill Papp and Briana and Hunter Pillar and four great-grandchildren, Janese Cruz, Jayda Schoener, Laci and Leana Schoener.

Martin was preceded in death by his brother, William Pillar, sister, Helen Bennett and grandson, Shane Martin Pillar.

Services: A Funeral Service will be held, Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, in Bethlehem.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Luke's Hospice House, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.