Jorge Martinez

Jorge was born on April 19, 1938 in Capellania, a small farming village outside of the Province of Havana in Cuba. As a child, Jorge learned the value of hard work and dedication early in his life while he attended grade school with his brothers and assisted with chores on the family homestead. In his adolescence, he would visit and stay with his older half-brother Elviro, for extended periods of time in the town of La Lisa to help him run his businesses. A self-motivated and driven individual, Jorge sought new opportunities of his own during his teenage years and started a business selling household items in the neighborhoods of Havana. He was guided and inspired by his older brother Cheo, who lived in Old Havana. His love for cars and mechanics started then as he and his brother Armando would work on their vehicles required to commute and transport merchandise from town to town. Jorge was blessed with his first son Jorge shortly after settling in La Lisa. He continued to strive, working to build his house, run his business and restore automobiles consisting of Fords and Chevrolets from the 40’s and 50’s. Life for Jorge changed dramatically due to the Cuban Revolution. He was split from his family and arrived in the United States as a Cuban Refugee in 1971. Jorge was faced with starting a new life in San Diego with nothing other than the clothes on his back and a small suitcase containing a few personal belongings. He worked part-time in restaurants until he began working at Union Bank in the data processing center in Downtown. During this time, his passion for restoring Corvairs was born. Jorge also attended school to learn English and there he met his wife Maria Teresa. Jorge purchased his first home in a state of disrepair, in San Diego near South Park, and continued to work tirelessly to make it livable for him and his future family. In 1978, he married Maria Teresa, and was blessed with two more children, Fernando and Laura. Jorge always put his family first and strived to provide a better life for them. In 1987, he purchased his second home in San Diego, also in a state of disrepair and continued to work tirelessly to move his family into it. He spent the following years working to raise and provide for his family in San Diego as well as provide financial support to his mother, son and brothers in Cuba. Jorge was a passionate mentor and enjoyed working on projects with his son Fernando. He enjoyed restoring Corvairs, spending time with his family, and exemplifying his core values centered on honesty, integrity, and good work ethic. He encouraged his children to value education, seek college educations and attain professional careers. In 2006, his long-lasting dream of reuniting with this son in Cuba was realized and he was able to visit again in 2009, and 2012. Anyone that knew Jorge would describe him as a hard worker and a devoted provider with a great heart that always put the safety and well-being of his family first.

Blessed are those who died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.

Eternal rest grant Jorge, O Lord.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Arrangements under the direction of Goodbody Mortuary, San Diego, CA.