Our father was and always will be remembered as a selfless man who put his family's needs at the forefront of his mind and heart. He cherished and always provided for us like the "Super-Dad" he was. Through my father I was able to experience and learn the ways of God's unconditional love for us. He was always there when no one else was. When my world was crumbling apart he would swoop in and give me comfort. He always said "to every problem, there is a solution" and I've never encountered him in a problem he couldn't solve. I always admired him for that. The best part is when you'd ask how he did it he'd say "you're talking to Carlos Martinez" with a funny smirk on his face.
"When I was 17 years old I came to this country with $8.00 in my pocket" Straight from Lima, Peru, my dad ventured to the U.S.A. looking to create a better future for himself and the family he was going to build. He would always talk about the days he worked at a Dry Cleaners and when he worked at Ledo's Pizza, eventually getting into the corporate world of Visa and to finally making a name for himself in the East Coast commercial cleaning industry. Needless to say, my dad was the hardest worker I knew. He instilled these words in our hearts from an early age "Whatever you do in life has your signature on it. Good or Bad. Do everything with excellence as if you're doing it for The Lord"
My Peruvian dad met my Puerto Rican/Dominican mom in the early '90s. They fell hopelessly in love. Five years later they had their family's first grandchild. Fast forward to today, my parents have FIVE girls. Yes you read that right and no not including my mom. They were trying for a boy but God had other plans. We were and will forever be Daddy's Little Girls. The love he had for us will always remain in our hearts. We wish he was still with us and I wish I didn't have to make anything like this, but none of us saw this coming.
My dad had been hospitalized and very sick for 3 weeks. The morning of his passing we received a call from the hospital to come in and say our goodbyes. We were hoping to go in his room and pray for his healing. We arrived to the ICU floor and notified the staff we were there. They guided us to the waiting area. As we waited unknowingly, our anxiety grew stronger. We had noticed a crowd of nurses and doctors around his room but did not think much of it. Next thing we knew his doctor and a staff of people (including a chaplain) walked into the waiting room. They informed us that right before we arrived, his heart stopped. They performed CPR for 15 minutes to no avail and called his time of death. That was the moment our worlds came crashing down on us. I did not want to believe it until I saw him for myself. My dad was 53 years old when God called him back home.
I don't want to remember him how he left us. I choose to remember his life and his legacy. He helped change the lives of so many people for the better. God used him in amazing ways and he let himself be led by the love of God and the Holy Spirit. Not many people can say that. I choose to remember the times we would laugh together, the times we took him to his favorite places like the beach or Pollo a La Brasa in Wheaton, MD. He was always taking pictures. I thank God for that because he has gone so suddenly and now that's all I have left of him.
My dad leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved wife of 31 years, Cynthia, their 5 beautiful daughters, Kiana, Kathia, Karla, Kirsten and Kharis. His twin, Aurora, his siblings, Myrko, Jean-Pierre, Geovanni, Wallys, and his father, Boris. Along with many more family and friends that will greatly miss him.
We created this page in an effort to honor my late father and to support our family as we have lost our sole provider for our household. We appreciate every donation, prayer and amount of support no matter how big or small. May God bless you as you help us in any way.
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