Its been one year you left us and i can't tell you how much i miss hearing your voice over the phone orin person.I miss the the nightly phone call you made to me to find out how i was feeling ,especially after iha i had gotten chemo,and how you encourged me to keep on fighting and not to let the cancer rule over my life.In general i miss you more than words can say. but you will always be in my heart until we are once more together never to be seperated again.My brother i love you and i pray that you are resting in peace with the Lord.

Tio what a tribute to the life that you lived.  To see so many people who came to pay their respects to you. You left your mark on this world and in everones heart. Not a day goes by that you aren't missed.

Tommy, thank you for your guidance, kindness and friendship, You will be forever loved and missed, God Bless You Always! With love, Gisele

My condolences to the Martinez family.
I grew up with tommy at 110st. where we
were Boy scout, air explorer and also worked at CBS. Tommy is a very nice person and he will be missed.
 God bless him.

Tommy my brother, partner, friend, I will miss you very much, we had a special bond which I will forever miss, but one day we shall meet again, love you always.

TOMMY WAS PERFECT IN EVERYWAY. HIS PASSING LEFT A BIG VOID. I WILL MISS HIM ALWAYS

I want to thank each and every person who showed their support in a number of ways these last two weeks. It has been greatly appreciated. The services yesterday were truly a sight to see.
I first want to personally thank my cousins, USMC Staff Sargent Victor Arroyo and Maryland State Trooper Saul Martinez Jr for everything they did to give their Uncle Tommy a special goodbye. Victor was able to get volunteers without hesitation from his Marines of 6th Comm Bn HQ Company and Alpha Company to provide casket watch at the wake and also provide pall bearers for the church service. Saul Jr received immediate support from the NYPD and NYS Troopers to provide escort services from St Theresa's Church to Calverton National Cemetery. The Honor and Respect given by everyone along the route was an image I will never forget. And lastly, once we got to Calverton National Cemetery, the Marine Corp League was there and provided a rifle salute in dad's honor. I know my father was looking down proudly at his whole family as we all got together for him and remembering we are family first. I also know he was looking down feeling honored with the love and respect all his friends displayed. He was a great man.

Always Faithful words he lived by. It is difficult, at best, to attempt to honor my father in words. It is never an easy task to capture someone in a speech, as words frequently fall short of capturing someone's true essence. In this instance, they fall so far below the mark that I feel it is almost impossible to try. So instead of making an attempt, I am going to ask each and every one reading this to sit in a moment of silence and remember something about the man who touched each of our lives in so many ways......................................

Well, as I looked out during the ceremonies this weekend, I saw both smiles and tears. The tears, although there have been many tears of sadness in the past few days, were not tears of sadness but tears of joy, intermingled with nostalgic smiles, for the way my father has left a permanent mark on your minds, hearts and souls.

This weekend I saw my children, remembering the moments they shared with Grandpa Tommy through their lives, and how Myriam and I, their unfortunate parents, would shake our heads as our home gained yet another doll or other toy our children just had to have and Grandpa just had to buy.

I saw my brother, aunts and uncles, each of them remembering Dad in their own ways as he made an impact in their lives with each moment he spent with them no matter how large or small the amount of time was.

My father's friends have their own private memories of Dad - not as a father, but as a fun-loving guy who you could always find every Sunday at Orchard Beach, Stickball Alley, Colucci Park or Zerega depending on the weather. And let's not forget El Barrio - 110th Street or at any Salsa event he can get his way into. He surely grasped his roots. WEPA to you dad!

And my step mother Evelyn you have the most treasured memories of any of us, but they belong to you alone. None of us spent more time with dad than you have over the years. You have those memories to hold onto in the privacy of your heart. They are your own little videos of dad to re-watch when you want to. Stay strong, it's easier when you know he is watching over you.

My Dad was a proud US Marine Veteran who fought for our country at a time when people did not agree with that war. He made some dear lifelong friends from that time. Some are still here today, others have reported to St Peter. Just 3 weeks ago he was a pall bearer at one of his buddy's funerals, a Marine as well. He never forgot a single one of his friends.

To wrap this up, I know that somewhere in the vastness of whatever lies beyond, my dad is smiling down at us with his father and brother, wishing us well and reminding us that no matter what happens in our lives, Family First as he always said.

I miss you incredibly pops. We talked and texted everyday and I look at my phone waiting for it to ring. I am lost without you at the moment but I know you will give me the strength I need to get it together and stay focused on what I need to do. I know this. But for now, I cry. I cry because I miss you. I cry because I love you. I cry because I lost my best friend.

Until we meet again.

I love you pops.

Semper Fi

My brother I don't know how we will continue to live without you.your passing has left a huge hole in our lives,but you have gone to a better place .Rest in peace my brother,until we are reunited again never to be separated .You left behind a great legacy  of the man that you was.

Our deepest condolences to Evelyn and the Martinez family. Tommy will always be remembered. Gone too soon, Rest in Peace my friend. God bless you.

El padre de mi novio era un gran hombre que se perdió. Yo sólo deseo que hubiera llegado a pasar más tiempo con él. Él siempre estaba ahí para nosotros y nunca voy a olvidar todo lo que ha hecho. Tenía un gusto por siempre vivir la vida al máximo con la familia y amistades. Estoy seguro de que está en el cielo haciendo sus movimientos de salsa y reuniéndose con sus seres queridos. Hasta que nos encontremos de nuevo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My fiancé's dad was a great man who will be missed. I only wish I had gotten to spend more time with him. He was always there for us and I will never forget all that he has done. He had a zest for life always living it to the fullest with family and friends. I'm sure he's in heaven doing his salsa moves and reuniting with his loved ones. Until we meet again.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

He was a great Son, Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Marine, Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather, Great Uncle and Friend. He led our Family and kept all his siblings together. Family first was his motto. Love you Tio. Until we.meet again.....

Our thoughts and prayers to the Martinez family. He was a wonderful man with a huge heart that showed compassion to others and always showed how full of life he was.

Dear Jordan and Family,

There are no words.  Just please know your father is standing right next to you right now as a guardian angel.

OBITUARY

Joe Thomas Martinez

September 23, 1946 – July 29, 2015

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