Hugo Martinez

Hugo “Papi” Gerardo Martinez passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 27th 2020 surrounded by his daughter & five grandchildren during prayer in Tennessee.
Papi was born in Lima, Peru. In his thirties he set his sights on a better life and moved his wife, Aida “Mami” Martinez, & daughter, Nancy, to New York City. As a skilled mechanic & talented tradesman, he worked for the New York Daily News, Penske, and the NYC Sanitation department, before retiring from the NYC Police Department mechanics group.

Hugo, a devote New Yorker, lived on Alstyne Ave in Corona, NY for the majority of his life. He shared this home with Aida (married 56 years) a shelter and popular gathering spot for friends, family, and anyone looking for a good meal, conversation, and drinks. Hugo played the classic guitar, was a fantastic dancer, and enjoyed a good party. A talented craftsman, you could always find him working on a home improvement project or in Home Depot.  When not fixing his home or property, he lent his time and talents to help others in any way he could.
Following his wife’s passing, he made Clarksville, TN his home base during his world travels with his siblings & family.
Hugo was a devoted Catholic and founding father of the Hermandad Senor de Los Milagros Inc. of New York City.  He was a proud member of New York City SEIU Local 246.

He is preceded in death by his wife Aida Martinez, parents Ramon and Mercedes Martinez, and siblings Amelia Rios and Jose Martinez.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his daughter Nancy (Carlos) Chavez; grandchildren Veronica (Stephen) Lancin, Jenny (Joey) Brennan, Carlos (Janice) Chavez, Patricia (Bradford) Nidiffer, and Hugo (Tracy) Chavez; great-grandchildren Sophia and Ari Lancin, Stella and Nora Brennan, Isuaro and Emilia Chavez, Elizabeth Nidiffer, Christopher, Brianna, Jacob, and Abigail Chavez.

He is also survived by his siblings Lydia Martinez, Renee (Herman) Cilliani, Jorge Martinez, Myrta Martinez, and Isabel (Pablo) Garzon; Sister-in-Law Violeta (Jose) Fernandez.
A celebration of life and burial of ashes will be planned for later date in early spring 2021 in New York City.