ARTURO O. MARTINEZ

ARTURO O. MARTINEZ Arturo O. Martinez, a community activist in Hoboken and a retired journalist, died Wednesday at his home. He was 82. Born in Rio Grande City, Texas, he was a graduate of Rio Grande City High School and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1959. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Arturo spent more than 40 years in journalism-as a reporter, editor, critic and columnist. Prior to joining the staff of The Star-Ledger in New Jersey in 1968, he was a reporter for The Alamo Messenger in San Antonio and The Lafayette Advertiser in Louisiana. During three decades at The Star-Ledger, he held a variety of posts, including Entertainment and Features Editor for 20 years prior to his retirement in 1998. He continued to write a column on Latino arts and entertainment until 2003. While entertainment editor, Martinez served as a voter for Broadway's annual Tony Awards, a position he held for almost 18 years. His interest in the theater continued into his retirement; two of his one-act plays were produced in Hoboken. Also in his retirement, he wrote "Pedrito's World," a fictive memoir based on his recollections and family stories from South Texas. The book, published by Texas Tech University Press, received an award from the Texas Institute of Letters. A sequel was published in December. In Hoboken, his home for the last four decades, he was an appointed member of the Board of Directors of the Hoboken Public Library and served as board president. His efforts helped to secure a grant of $750,000 from the New Jersey Historic Trust to rehabilitate and preserve the landmark building. That renovation is now underway. At St. Francis Church, he was a weekly volunteer for about 18 years, helping with clerical work and handing out sandwiches to those in need. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society and served as its president. The Hoboken Historical Museum and the Hoboken Elks Lodge also enjoyed the benefits of his active membership. He was a fiercely loyal Democrat. Arturo is survived by his wife, Pat Donnelly Martinez, daughter Nora and her husband Damian DeBenedetto of Hoboken, son Peter Arturo and his wife Verity Martinez of Jersey City, and grandson, Otis Arturo DeBenedetto. Survivors also include his brother Ruben Martinez of Rio Grande City, and dozens of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins in South Texas. He was predeceased by his parents, Gabriel and Martina Olivares Martinez; his brothers, Gabriel, Joel, and Lisandro; and his sisters, Angelita M. Reyna, Urbana Martinez, and Olga M. Cruz. If so desired, contributions may be made to the St. Francis Food Pantry, 308 Jefferson St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, or the Hoboken Library Foundation, 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Visitation will be held Friday, 4 to 8 p.m., Failla Memorial Home, 533 Willow Avenue, Hoboken. Mass will be offered Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Church, Third and Jefferson Streets, Hoboken. There will be no visitation at the funeral home prior to the funeral. FAILLA FUNERAL HOME 533 WILLOW AVE HOBOKEN , NJ 07030 (201) 659-0082