Henry Martinez

Henry Martinez, 74, born on April 7, 1941 in Guayaqual, Ecuador passed away July 21, 2015. He resided in Burbank, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Julio Enrique Martinez or also known to many as Henry or "Hank" was born on April 7, 1941 in Guayaquil, Ecuador and has passed away on July 21, 2015 in Burbank, California. Henry is survived by his Wife of over 36 years Katherine, his daughter Gina who Henry had with his first wife Alice, Christopher who was adopted in through marriage to his wife Katherine from her first marriage, Henry's brothers Johnny, Carlos, Tito and Ivan, Ivan who has passed already, Henry's grandchildren and nieces Carissa, Cassandra, Vanessa, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Veronica and others.

Henry 's first stop from South America was New York City and eventually he lived in Long island, New York. Henry did everything at the time to get ahead which often times included working two or more jobs and which can be said that he was no stranger to life's challenges or hard times, but those things never stopped him from pushing forward.

Eventually on a big leap of faith Henry moved out to California from New York after having his daughter Gina and his brother Johnny and mother Carmen joined him where he began to enjoy the California Sunshine and Beaches, Hanks love for the ocean was always there from his home in Ecuador and found more of that to enjoy along with the fun he had working on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood where there was plenty of fun to go around.

Henry worked and went to school and studied tirelessly being at the time a single father after his first marriage to Alice came to an end. Henry earned an Associate's Degree in Computer Science and almost three additional years at the University of California Los Angeles which eventually lead to the highlight of career when Chosen by NASA and JPL-Jet Propulsion Laboratory to join a team of experts and work on the first Mars Project known as the Viking project. "Hank was like a kid in a candy store" when this happened.

Henry had a love for music and sports cars but had a real passion for science as mentioned previously. Henry like many loved the 1950's "Doo Wop" era music artists, the 60's but did have a favorite and someone he was fortunate enough to meet personally, "ELVIS PRESLEY ."
In fact, many of us who knew Hank also referred to him as "Elvis" which Hank had no complaints to, of course not it was the "The King". What we remember Hank for was his perseverance through challenges, definitely his intelligence and passion for always learning, but most of all his compassion and love for people and his humility that always carried him through life remembering his beginning.

Henry also loved sharing a few good games of Pool with family and friends, and he sure shot a good game! He also just loved the camaraderie of working on cars with the boys and young men in the neighborhood he lived throughout his years, listening to music and always trying to give sound advice and wisdom to all who wanted to hear it, which were many.

Henry or "Hank" was known for always opening his home up for those who needed it, a meal, or maybe advice from his own life experiences, his always very humorous side always youthful attitude.

Before Henry's passing he enjoyed a barbecue and swimming at a party with his family, walking on the beach on the 4th of July and watching the fireworks which were his wishes. Henry will be loved by many as we say farewell to Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother and friend to many.
May God bless Henry always.