Richard Michael "Rich" Martins

It is with great sadness that the family of Richard “Rich” Michael Martins, 50, announces that he passed unexpectedly on Saturday, June 30, 2018, while enjoying summer at his wife’s family cabin near Brainerd, Minnesota. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 14 years, Kristin Weigel Martins. Born in Kearny, New Jersey July 5, 1967, Rich received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Temple University and Masters of Education in Higher and Continuing Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He began his career working part-time with the Orlando Magic of the NBA. In 1994, he began his 24-year career with IBM working on a project at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World. He then worked in a variety of departments with the last 11 years as a Delivery Project Executive. Rich was known for his sense of humor and kindness. Rich liked to make everyone smile and laugh. He was a great cook and passionate about food, in large part due to learning to cook at a young age from his Portuguese family. He loved to spend time at the cabin in Minnesota. He will be missed by his dear family, friends and colleagues. He will be lovingly remembered by his Dad, Manuel Martins (Maria); Brothers Alex (Juliet) and Nelson Martins, Nieces Sophia, Gabrielle, and Sarah; Aunt Irene (Mario) Goncalves and Cousin Don (Lena and daughter Emily); Godmother and Aunt Rosalie Raposo and Cousins Rosemary Jorda (Michael), Rosanne Raposo (Matthew Fidler); Aunt Laura de Pinho and Cousins Sofia (Bruno) and Diana Santos; Aunt Maria Adelaide “Lai” (Joaquim) Ferreira; Aunt Maria Joaquina (Jose Mouta); Uncle Anibal; Uncle Abilio. As well as his Mother-in-Law, Margaret Weigel; Sisters-in-Law, Theresa Kelly (Dennis), Janet Canton, Susan Weigel (Chris Guimbellot) and Nephews Dennis, Henry and Garrett. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Dorothy Rodrigues Martins; Grandparents Antero and Herminia Rodrigues, and Augusto and Rosa Maria Martins; Uncles Fernando Raposo, Camilo de Pinho and Jose Martins. Rich will also be forever remembered by many other Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins and dear friends. Family is working on organizing a celebration of Rich’s life in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, July 14th. For those in the New Jersey area there will also be a private memorial mass on Sunday, July 22 at 3 pm at St. Cecilia’s Church in Kearny, NJ and all are welcome to attend. For those in the Atlanta area there will be a celebration of life event in August, with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to make a donation: In Memory of Rich Martins The Michael J. Fox Foundation Donation Processing The Michael J. Fox Foundation P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 1-800-708-7644 https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation2.php The Giving Kitchen 513 Edgewood Ave, suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30312 404-254-1227 https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/d11bff52-0cd0-44d8-9403-465614e4f342 Mission Fire Department 29474 County Road 3 Merrifield, MN, 56465 218-765-3259 missionfire@brainerd.net https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=1yBKmnkyAww6ZLXM6a8wH5SJ1t5gXZ_PzXimf8lYVaM_n3lKJIM0GpI1Je3y5GfY4tSlTm&country.x=US&locale.x=US When I Must Leave You by Helen Steiner Rice When I must leave you For a little while- Please do not grieve And shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you Through the years, But start out bravely With a gallant smile; And for my sake And for my name Live on and do All things the same, Feed not your loneliness On empty days, But fill each waking hour In useful ways, Reach out your hand In comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you And hold you near; And never, never Be afraid to die For I am waiting for you in the sky!

Tributes

Richard Michael "Rich" Martins

June 30, 2018

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