Manuel Martinez

Manuel Marty Martinez was a man who was not only successful in business, but also in life. He was admired for his character and compassion, as well as his leadership skills and vast wisdom. Marty placed high expectations on both himself and others and his appreciation for understanding and perfection were his basic strengths. Although Martys career was of great importance to him, his family was always at the top of his list. Even though he traveled all over the world, his most precious moments were made on vacations with his family in Barbados, West Indies. During a year in which the motion picture industry was revolutionized by the production of the first important all-talking motion picture, Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run, and novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald captivated readers from coast to coast, the culture within America in 1927 was vibrantly alive. It was also in this same year that Victor and Josefa (Fernandez Inclan) Martinez were celebrating the birth of their son, Manuel, on February 25th in Zeizing, West Virginia. Manuel was the youngest of seven children in his family and experienced an enjoyable childhood during which he loved to fish. His father was an immigrant from Spain who worked in the coal mines while his mother was a homemaker. Manuels parents always spoke Spanish in the home and after a time they moved to Niagara Falls, New York where his father found work in the steel mills. Marty, as he came to be known, graduated from high school, then continued on to Trott Vocational School, followed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he received a degree in both mechanical and electrical engineering after just three years. Marty was then drafted into the United States Navy where he repaired aircraft aboard an aircraft carrier until the end of WWII. With his education and time of service behind him, Marty entered the workforce to begin what would become a very successful career. His journey began at Worthington Corporation, manufacturer of compressors and water pumps. This job would prove to be a fateful one as he soon met a young gal who was the secretary there. Her name was Dolores Tetlock and the couple began dating and subsequently fell in love, but had to keep their romance quiet in order to adhere to company policy. They were married in 1953. Marty began advancing in his career and in 1954, he became the president of the Studebaker-Worthington Corporation of Mexico City and moved there with his wife. Soon after they were settled, Marty and Dolores were blessed with three children: Manuel in 1955, Kristina, in 1957, and Carlos in 1962. In 1965 he became the president of Worthington in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved his growing family there. Their children were enrolled in German school while there and all became fluent in several languages. They remained in Argentina for eight years until political unrest left them looking to move. Marty was actually kidnapped for a few days before being released after which he decided to take a position with Clarke Floor Machine, a division of Worthington, in Muskegon, Michigan. While there Marty was the director of Central and South America and Caribbean sales. Their family settled into the Norton Shores area where they fit right in and made many friends. When Clarke Floor Machine closed their location in Muskegon, Marty continued to work for Clarke in Florida until he retired in 1996. They eventually settled in Lakeland, Florida, located between Tampa and Orlando. What made Marty so successful in his career was due to the man who Marty was inside. He was respected by people too numerous to count internationally whose lives he impacted with his teaching and mentoring. Marty was always looking for ways to not only better himself, but more importantly to help others better themselves as well. His leadership and wisdom has guided many people to successful personal and professional careers. Marty was highly regarded for his high expectations, and he was a meticulous and highly organized himself. Throughout his career, Martys job brought him around the world to places such as Thailand, Japan, and almost every country in Europe, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Although much of his time was focused on his work, there were other interests that Marty enjoyed. He loved to fish and travel with his wife as often as time allowed. Some of his favorite times were spent walking on the beach and swimming in the Caribbean Sea. Marty also treasured their family vacations in Barbados, West Indies. Life was not without challenges for Marty. His toughest battle came several years ago when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Marty fought the disease successfully for quite some time, but eventually the years and the hardship of the disease took their toll. Martys body eventually succumbed to the challenges of fighting for so long. There are so many people who spend their lives going through their days while never really touching the lives of others. This is not who Manuel Marty Martinez was since he greatly impacted the lives of so many whether his family, those who he mentored through his work, or simply those within his reach. Marty worked hard throughout his life, but he always made time to give to others and to love those he treasured most. Although so many mourn the death of this remarkable man, they will forever hold dear the moments they were given to share with someone so kind, giving, and truly extraordinary. Marty will be dearly missed. Manuel Marty Martinez died on October 25, 2009 in Lakeland, Florida. Martys family includes his wife, Dolores of 56 years; his sons, Manuel (Michel) Martinez and Carlos (Kim) Martinez; his daughter Kristina (Randy) Precious and their daughter Sena, his only grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2009, 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Rev. Dr. Thomas C.H. Scott officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visit with Martys family and friends on Saturday, 1 hour prior to the service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Military Honors under the Auspices of VFW Don Rea Post 8846. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial contribution to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia UTC-Fund, Tampa, FL 33612.