Frank Martinez of Smallwood, a retired program director of Volunteer services for Centaur, Orlando, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown. He was 72.
The son of the late Jose Martinez and Brunilda Collazo, he was born November 5, 1950, in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He moved to Brooklyn at age 1 attending NYC Public Schools graduating from Erasmus High School in 1968. He later attended FIT for art and fashion design.
Prior to working at Centaur, he was employed as a field representative for Con Edison in the Bronx. Frank was also an accomplished artist who taught classes and workshops for The Sullivan County Council of the Arts, collaborated with several local artists on a variety of projects, and enjoyed mentoring aspiring artists. He was a stage/set designer for theater groups in Manhattan, and in later years he volunteered his services as a stage/set designer in Catskill NY, and at the Liberty Elementary School, where his granddaughter attended.
In addition to Frank’s work as an artist, he was a lover of dance and music; and while program director at Centaur he was responsible for coordinating two Festival Balls each year. He was also named “Bachelor of the Year” while employed at Centaur. Frank possessed a sassy sense of humor, was always ready and willing to share his wisdom with others and would give the shirt off his back to someone in need, no questions asked. His family of creation, as he would say, meant the world to him. He will be sorely missed by all those that knew him.
He is survived by his life partner Patrick McCarthy of Smallwood; daughter Vanessa Martinez, who resided with, and helped to care for him in his last year; son Damon of Grahamsville; and granddaughter Samadi Martinez of Brooklyn. In addition, he is survived by his brother John of Manhattan; half-sister Idalia Martinez of the Bronx; two aunts, an uncle and several nieces and nephews. Frank was also a cat whisperer and leaves behind three cats, Cicero, Ziggy and Misu. He was predeceased by his brother Joey.
As per Frank’s wishes, he will be cremated, and services will be held privately.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Sullivan County SPCA, 104 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill, NY,12775 and the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless, P.O. Box 336, Monticello, NY 12701.
