He was born August 9, 1937 in Farjardo, Puerto Rico the son of Eusebia Martinez and Jovito Garcia.
In 1955, Joe moved to the United States and settled in the Oneonta area where he began his career as a manager at Rua & Sons Tire in Oneonta. It was there that he met Linda, and the two were united in marriage on July 20, 1968. His business acumen and his talent for sales led him to found Otsego Tires; his many customers knew him as “happy Jose”. After getting out of the tire business, Joe began selling real estate and established Joe Martinez Realty. He sold real estate for many years until retiring due to his health. Realizing that he missed helping people, Joe began working summers at the Cooperstown Dreams Park. He was well know under the dining tent and was especially popular with teams from his native Puerto Rico.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Linda Martinez, Oneonta; three children and their spouses, Carmen (Brian) Williams, Maryland, Alicia (Tom) Fish, Milford and Tony (Michelle) Martinez, Gypsum, CO; six grandchildren, Nathan (Dawn) Williams, Corey (Amber) Williams, Parker and Amanda Fish, and Kiley and Lindsay Martinez; three great grandchildren, Ava, Gabriel and Colton; father-in-law, Olin Waters, Masonville and the entire Waters families; the Wilday family of Cobleskill, his first family in the US, 1 niece, Nelsa Casanova of Amsterdam, NY; and a very special neighbor, Sue Clark, Maryland. He was predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Wilday Martinez. His beautiful blue eyes will be missed by his family and friends.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. There will be a celebration of Joe’s life held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM at The Cornfield, 655 County Road 26, Fly Creek, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milford Emergency Squad, Milford, NY or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org.
To light a candle or send the family an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com
Funeral arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.
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