MARTINS, Jose Martins - Passed away peacefully in Toronto, Ontario on Wednesday November 14, 2018, at the age of 94.
Jose was predeceased by his beloved wife Virginia.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Carlos (Fatima), Natercia (Frank), and Laura (Robert).
He will also be remembered by his seven grandchildren, Mark (Tara), Candice (Paul), Jeff (Stephanie), Nicole (Ken), Jackie, Andrew and Ben as well as four great-grandchildren Tristan, Reese, Logan, and Nolan.
Jose was born in the village of Livramento, São Miguel, Azores in 1924. He immigrated to Canada via passenger ship to Halifax in 1954 at which point his travels and subsequent employment took him to Quebec where he worked on a farm. He then moved to Kitimat, British Columbia where he worked for five years at Alcan Aluminum.
Jose made several trips back to São Miguel to be with his young family. Though the hardships were many, he persevered to make a better life for his family. In 1964 his wife, son Carlos (11 years old), and daughter Natercia (3 years old) joined Jose in Toronto, where they put down roots. Not long after settling in, their daughter Laura was born.
Jose continued to work hard to support his family, including working construction at Ontario Hydro, The TTC and building the Pickering Power Plant. His final job was at a lumber factory in Scarborough.
Some of his passions and interests included watching his beloved Sporting football club, making homemade wine and enjoying social occasions where he reminisced about his travels and adventures both in Canada and São Miguel.
Jose will be remembered as a kind, easy going, and generous man. He will be very sadly missed by family and friends in Canada, Portugal, and the United States.
Friends may call on Friday November 16, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. at Cardinal Funeral Homes, Bathurst, Toronto. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday November 17, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Santa Cruz Roman Catholic Church, 142 Argyle Street. Interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, friends can make a donation in Jose’s memory to a charity of their choice.
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