Guillermo Martinez, a dedicated advocate for education and social justice, passed away on April 20, 2024, just days shy of his 104th birthday. Born on April 25, 1920, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Guillermo was the beloved son of Francisco and Aurelia Martinez.
Guillermo's life was a testament to resilience and hard work. In 1950, he made the courageous decision to move his family to New York City to pursue an education, leaving behind the familiar landscapes of Puerto Rico. Working tirelessly, he held two full-time jobs while attending night classes at the City College of New York for six years, ultimately earning his Bachelor's of Business Administration.
His career as an accountant spanned decades, marked by dedication and integrity. From Northridge Knitting Mills in San German, Puerto Rico, to Becton-Dickson in Juncos, Guillermo navigated through various companies, leaving a lasting impact as a comptroller.
In 1982, Guillermo retired but found that the allure of work was too strong to resist. He returned to the workforce at Elmhurst Hospital, exemplifying his commitment to service and community. Later, in 1988, Guillermo and his beloved wife, Georgina De Martinez, embarked on a new chapter, moving to Houston. He taught ESL to immigrants through the Amnesty Program for a couple of years until he started his accounting business on Hillcroft where he met and helped hundreds of immigrants file their income taxed and immigration paper. He finally sold his business to his son-in-law, Daryl, in 2005 and actually retired. He loved playing pool with Johan, his son-in-law, dominoes, and the guitar. Music was part of his life and loved singing and dancing. Guillermo was an avid reader of non-fiction and WWII stories. But what made him the happiest was spending time with his family. he would never say no to an offer of happy hour, mofongo, carne frita, or flan. At 5PM he had his glass of wine. Papi, Abu, Bis, Instilled in us the values of hard work, compassion, family, and love for all.
Guillermo was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Georgina, with whom he shared 71 years of marriage, his parents Francisco and Aurelia Martinez, as well as his sons Guillermo Martinez Jr. and Jose Martinez. He leaves behind a legacy of love and perseverance, survived by his devoted daughters, Ivelysse Swan (Daryl), Gisele Medina (Johan), and Nelita Martinez, along with his grandchildren Ivelysse Marie Powers (Mike), Josean Luna-Medina (Crystal), and Alexandra Medina, as well as his great-grandchildren Liam Michael Powers, Hayley Grace Powers, and Jude Luna-Medina.
Guillermo Martinez will be remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for his unwavering dedication to his family, his community, and his ideals. His impact will continue to be felt by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. May he rest in eternal peace.
A visitation for Guillermo will be held Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Settegast-Kopf Company@Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. A mass of christian burial will occur Monday, May 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.
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