Pedro J. Martinez, 100, of Hoboken, NJ, passed away on February 28, 2019.
Born on October 26, 1918, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Pedro started life as a survivor who understood the importance of family. Even as a child he would travel far distances on his bicycle to provide for his family by buying and selling merchandise among the local small businesses. Pedro met the love of his life in his wife Mercedes, and they married in 1945. In 1956, Pedro received his certification in radio, television, and electronics repair from a correspondence course based in Los Angeles, CA. The family stayed in Cuba until 1969 when they left for Miami, having been blacklisted for several years in Cuba.
Pedro’s first job in the United States was with Juliette Electronics of Miami, FL performing quality control. He eventually retired from the Fedder Corporation in Edison, NJ overseeing some of the manufacturing of air conditioners and other electronics. Mindful of how the Great Depression had been, Pedro took time to save money and find bargains where he could and would pick up the occasional scratch-off tickets in Union City or Hoboken to “win the big one” for his children. He was a fixture in the community as he traveled by bus and everyone became a friend as he visited local shops. All who know Pedro will remember him as a kind, humble, and self-sacrificing member of the community.
Pedro’s memory will be cherished by his surviving family including his 4 children: Connie Renelt, Pedro Martinez (Danny Martinez- spouse), Gerardo Martinez (Martha Feijoo– spouse), and Rudolfo Martinez (Carmen Vicente-Martinez– spouse). He was also survived by his 5 grandchildren: Alexander Wenzel Renelt, Karl Dieter Renelt, Peter Renelt, Jerry Martinez, and Jordan Martinez; along with his 6 great-granchildren and many other beloved cousins.
Now at peace, Pedro has been reunited with his loved ones who have passed including his beloved Mercedes Martinez (spouse), Francisco Martinez (father), Josefina Tamayo (mother), Alfredo Valladarez (grandson), Enrique Martinez (nephew), Maria Caridad Galera (neice), Estrella Martinez Galera (sister), Francisco Martinez (brother), Gilda Martinez (sister), Delia Martinez (sister), and Karl Dieter Renelt (son-in-law).
Visitation for Pedro will be on March 4th, 2019 from 4:00pm – 8:00 pm at Lawton-Turso Funeral Home in Hoboken (Washington and Seventh Streets, parking on Seventh). A prayer service will be offered at the funeral home on March 5th, 2019 at 8:00 am with burial to follow at 9:30 am at Arlington Cemetery (748 Schuyler Ave, Kearny, NJ).
