Gilbert Wilfredo Martinez III

Gilbert W. Martinez III, 56, of Bethlehem, passed away on February 17, 2025 in St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill. The tribute below sums up the love of his son and family: This is one thing I never thought I'd have to write. And it kills me to write this, but I know he is looking down at me right now laughing at me for how over dramatic I'm being right now. Gilbert Martinez went by many names. Gil, Gilberto, GilBaby. But the most important and meaningful to him was My Dad. Dad was the best father anyone could ask for. In my 30 years of being his son he never missed anything I ever did. He watched me sit on the bench through 7 years of playing team sports. Never missed a single game and even told me I played amazing despite only getting less than 4 minutes of actual play time. When I was in Army boot camp back in the summer of 2013 he sent me 4 letters for every week I was there. That is 40 letters. I always looked forward to mail call because I knew I would have a letter from him waiting for me. At the end of each letter he would always end it with "My life started when yours began xoxo Dad." What I would do to have one last hug and kiss from him. God I miss him so much. If you knew my father, you would know that he would never hurt a fly. He was filled with nothing but compassion and love. Despite being a man of few words, all you would have to do is to look at his smile and you would know that everything is going to be okay. Dad gave me one final smile like that during a moment of clarity he had on Sunday night when it was just the two of us at the hospital, a few hours before he passed away. He knew I needed that smile. As I write this, I cry thinking about that smile. Not because I'm sad, but rather happy because he knew even at that moment just how much I needed that smile. Dad was a fighter his entire life. He fought harder against his throat disease his entire life and fought harder in his last 4 months against the cancer than most do in their entire lives. It is my family's firm belief that he chose to go out on his own terms. My father is more than just a man. He is a hero. Dad slipped into the arms of the Lord on his own terms during the early morning Monday February 17th surrounded by all those that loved him. He joined his cherished mother Bobbie, and his grandmother, Ruth. His life and legacy is celebrated by me, his oldest son, Brandon as well as his two loving sisters, Michelle and Annie. Also missing him dearly are his wife and my step-mother Rose Marie, and their 5 adopted children Tony, Naveah, Emily, Maddie, and Taylor. Yes you read that right. 5 adopted children.. That's just the kind of guy my dad was is always will be. Dad would absolutely wring my neck if I didn't mention his other family, St. Lukes Hospital - Bethlehem Campus, who he worked with for the last 25 years. He spoke so highly of each and every last one of you and the amount of well wishes you all sent to his facebook page had me in tears. Thank you especially to everyone that came to visit him in the hospital. You are my family now, too. And yes, I know how much I look like him haha. To his Masonic Brothers in Bethlehem, besides being a father, being a Mason was one of the proudest things he ever achieved. Thank you for that blessing. It is important to mention that despite being divorced for nearly 25 years, my father has enjoyed a close relationship with his best friend and my mother, Annabelle Schappell. I thank god every day for the relationship those two had. It made growing up so easy. Dad, you are the best father anyone could ask for. I miss you so much. WE miss you so much. And the pain I have is unimaginable. But I know you're up there right now, sharing stories with grandma and nanna, and drinking an iced cold Coors Light. Please keep visiting us in our dreams. Love you daddy to the moon and back. Services: "A celebration of life will be scheduled for warmer weather! Keep an eye out on social media for the date!" Arrangements entrusted to JAMES FUNERAL HOME, Bethlehem.