Martin Martinez

Martin Martinez, 64, of New Britain, passed peacefully on Thursday, April 24, 2014 with his family by his side at the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain. Born in San German, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Jose Martinez Rosado and Rufina Santos Madera. He moved to New York with family after he graduated high school in Puerto Rico, and then moved to New Britain, where he would eventually meet his wife and raise a family. Martin worked as a machinist at Stanley Works and Acme Steel for many years. Martin is survived by his beloved wife and caregiver Carmen (Irizarry) Martinez, his son Martin Martinez Jr. and his two daughters, Wendy Martinez and Monica Martinez; his three grandchildren, Jaylen Lorenzo, Jazlyn Lorenzo and Juliana Lorenzo; three brothers, Jose Angel Martinez, Jesus Martinez and Hector Martinez and five sisters Lydia Miranda, Carmen Fernandez, Cruz Mendez, Judith Rosado and Confesora Martinez. He was also a devout member of St. Mary's church in New Britain, CT where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was called upon constantly to perform prayers for family members and friends that were sick or deceased. Martin was an avid New York Yankees fan and loved to play softball. He was known as "El Abanico", or The Fan, because he would swing his huge glove and suck everything up like a vacuum at shortstop and third base. Martin's passions also included fishing, taking out his boat, playing and singing on his guitar and listening to his "musica jibara" on his records and 8 tracks. Martin will be remembered as a caring individual who placed others needs before his own. Whether you were a family member, friend or stranger, he would do whatever he could in his power to help that person out. He will also be remembered for his countless jokes and someone everyone just enjoyed being around. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the members in the ICU of the Hospital of Central CT. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care in the last week were a heartwarming blessing to the entire family. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 9:00 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 5-8 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home.