Obituary of Francisco (Frank) Martinez

Francisco (Frank) Martinez, 93, of Rome, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Brookdale Senior Living, Brandon, FL. Frank was born on November 21, 1924, at home, on Floyd Street, Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Manuel and Julianna San Anton Martinez of La Caruna, Spain. On March 4, 1944, he married Nellie Yazzi in St. John the Baptist Church, Rome, NY. After fifty-eight years of marriage, Nellie passed away on February 20, 2002. Frank was a graduate of the Manhattan School of Aviation. He was an Aviation Metalsmith by trade. In 1942, at the age of 17, he came to Rome to work at Griffiss Air Force Base. Frank was drafted into the U.S. Navy in September 1943. He served honorably aboard Navy USS Salerno Bay as Petty Officer 1st Class in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during World War II. He was awarded the American Theatre, Asiatic Pacific Theatre and Victory Medals. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Rome to continue employment at Griffiss Air Force Base until 1980, a career spanning thirty-eight years. While at Griffiss, Frank was employed as Civil Engineering Supervisor of Ground Power, overseeing the entire base and off site facilities, a job he truly loved. He enjoyed participating in the Griffiss Friday Night Bowling League, acting as treasurer for many years. Frank was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, Rome DAV, and Rome American Legion. Surviving are two sons and their wives, Francisco R. and Lucille Martinez of Rome, NY, and Raymond and Jan Martin of Douglasville, GA; a daughter and her husband Lisa and Michael Gottman of Apollo Beach, FL; grandchildren Francisco Martinez III and his wife Cristina of Rome, NY, James Martin and his wife Brittany of Atlanta, GA, Andrea Martin of Atlanta, GA, and Olivia Gottman and Hanna Gottman of Apollo Beach, FL; two great-grandchildren Francisco Roberto Martinez IV of Rome, NY, and Bellamy Martin of Atlanta, GA. Also surviving are brothers Joseph Martin of Charlotte, NC, and Louis Martinez and his wife Dorothy of Williamson, GA; and sisters-in-law Louise Marcoccia of Rome, NY, and Geraldine Yazzi of Citrus Heights, CA, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife Nellie, Frank was predeceased by many other loved ones, including sisters Julianna Creo and Carmen Pfaff and brothers Manuel Martinez and Philip Martin. Frank will always be remembered as a kind and loving person, a true gentleman. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 12:00 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., on Monday, January 8, 2018, from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 110 Lomond Ct., Utica, NY 13502, Rome DAV, 407 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440 or Rome American Legion, 325 Erie Blvd. W., Rome, NY 13440 To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com