Jose Martinez

Jose Altagracia (Chelo) Martinez, 46, of Philadelphia, PA, formerly of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia. Jose was born in the Dominican Republic to Frangel Martinez and Maria Martinez.

Jose was a devoted and loving son, brother and uncle. He enjoyed spending time with his family and close friends. He loved dancing, playing jokes and pranks and considered himself an excellent party planner. He loved to travel and relax in his home town. Jose will be remembered for his loving personality and loving service to others.

Jose studied Business Administration at Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in 1987. In the 1990s he moved to New York to help his brother run a successful restaurant. With Jose's expertise they were able to open another restaurant in Miami, Florida in the middle 1990s. In the early 2000s he moved to Philadelphia and opened a small check cashing service, while at the same time receiving his real estate license.  This is where Jose found his true calling. In 2012 Jose gave business advice to his little sister and helped her open a home health care agency.

In 2014 Jose became very ill and was forced to slow down, unable to put in the time he was used to.

He is survived by his parents, Maria and Frangel Martinez, and wife, Catalina Martinez, of Philadelphia; his brothers and sisters, Salvador of Teaneck, NJ; Juliana (Carlos Hernandez) of Philadelphia; Maria (Ryan Whitaker) of Townsend, DE; Frangel of State College, PA; Frangelana of Philadelphia; and Edgar of Philadelphia.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Rodielys Acevado (Matthew Perez) and daughter Victoria of Philadelphia; Viviana and daughters Scarlet and Sophia Velez of New York, NY; Anabel Solano and son Noah Gonzalez of Philadelphia; Nathaniel of Teaneck, NJ; Ashley Rodriguez of Philadelphia; Natalie Solano of Townsend, DE; Carla Hernandez of Philadelphia, PA; and Kira Hernandez of Philadelphia, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Viewings on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 6:00 -- 8:00 PM and Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at Hollen Funeral Home, 3160 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114.  Religious service on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 10:30 AM. Interment at Beechwood Cemetery, Bensalem, PA

Flowers should be delivered to the Funeral Home by no later than 4:00 PM on Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

To share condolences with Jose's family, please go to www.hollenfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Hollen Funeral Home, Thomas J. Fluehr, Funeral Director, 3160 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.

 Service Information