Support for Martinez Family

On Saturday March 2nd, Estevan Martinez died unexpectedly in the Bronx Veteran's Hospital after suffering a secondary infection which he contracted while being treated for a respiratory infection in the Hospital. Esteven or "Steve" as his family and friends called him was only 37 years old and he leaves behind his wife, Angel Martinez, and his three children: Larissa, 12 years old, Seth, 14 years old & Chloe, 15 years old.

Estevan served eight years in the army.  Originally from Texas, he was stationed in Georgia, served in Iraq and Afghanistan before settling in New York City with his family.

After retiring from the army in 2012, Estevan started working at the Bronx Veteran's Hospital. He was employed by the Bronx VA at the time of his untimely death.

While his wife, Angel, remains employed, she and her three children could use any additional support to cover the cost of the funeral and to make it through this challenging time for the entire family.  Angel and her children are alone in New York City as both her family and Estevan's family are still living in Texas.

Angel Martinez works at Columbia Preparatory School and is an active parent and community member in New York City.  She has been Parent Association President at Public School 294 the Walton Avenue School, a Parent Leader in the New Settlement Parent Action Committee and the New York City Coalition for Educational Justice. Angel is currently serving as a Parent Representative of PAC at the District 9 Equity Committee and the New York City Culturally Responsive Education Working Group.  Angel joined Robert Jackson and the Alliance for Quality Education in a 150 mile walk from New York City to Albany on the ten year anniversary of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity's New York State ruling  that the state was “failing to provide students with the quality education that is their right under the New York State Constitution.”

Funding will be used to cover the cost of the funeral in New York City and the expense of bringing Estevan back home to Texas where the Martinez's plan to bury their father at Fort Sam Houston at the base where he began his military career and in his hometown.