Luis Anthony (Tony) Martinez

April 6, 2024

On October 9th, 1954 Luis Anthony (Tony) Martinez was born in Panama Canal, Panama to Jose Luis Martinez, Caguas Puerto Rico, and Hortense Margaret Poe. Little did anyone know how important he would become to so many.

He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with many illnesses. With his father in the Army, he grew up all over the world. He was never afraid of anything. He was adventurous. He joined the Army and once out of the Army, he hitchhiked all over the West Coast with his friend, Joe Zamboni. Most of it spent in California. He came home for a visit and that’s when he met his wife, Tonya and he never left. He was a free spirit. He loved his family and friends. He was very generous with his time and knowledge. He could talk about any subject. You could ask him any question and he knew the answer. He was well read and even read the Bible three times. He loved everything about space, and built many rockets.

He worked offshore as an engineer and decided when Tonya became pregnant, that he would return home. He worked for Arco and Runyans shipyard until he was hired at Harris Music where the legacy began. He became the best luthier in Pensacola FL. He will always be the best. When Harris Music closed down, he founded his own business Singing Tree Guitars. The reason for that name well if you know you know. He not only repaired guitars; he built several. He was a mentor to many young people in their teens that are now married and have children and playing in bands. He was generous with love. Tony was the one who got Vintage Sound Amps off to a running start and was responsible for that company being as successful as it is today.

We spent the last five months at home reminiscing looking at our pictures, going over all the concerts we went to. Every Rolling Stones concert since 1981. I will miss hearing him play in his shop while I work in our yard. He wasn’t able to play the last 3 months of his life and that really hurt him. His happiness the last 5 years was his granddaughter, Liliana Melody Pearl Martinez. He was a hands-on grandpa. He loved her more than anything in this world. He tried his best to live as long as he could for her. They loved playing frisbee, soccer, playing in the pool, flying kites, but their favorite was racing putting puzzles together. We had our share of marital problems. We spent the last months loving and forgiving. I loved taking care of him and would do it all over again.

A special thank you to our precious caring, Covenant Hospice nurse, Cassandra, my family (Mondello’s) for helping us through this sad time, my nephew Johnny Mondello for putting so much time and effort and loss of sleep into making this great video.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Tonya; his son, Joseph; his granddaughter, Liliana and her mother, Heather Polischeck; brother-in-law, Gary Mondello; sister-in-law, Grace Mondello; sister-in-law, Linda Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

We are the two mice in the corner. Love Pumpkin. Grandpa I love you♥️

Pallbearers include Gary Mondello, Johnny Mondello, Scott Mondello, Ricky Taylor, David Allen, and Jeff Hignite.

Funeral services for Tony Martinez will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends for visitation from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Elijah Pursell officiating. Tony will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery following the service.

“What tho the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight.
Tho nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass nor glory in the flower.
I will grieve not rather find peace in what remains behind.”

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 South Highway 29, Cantonment, is entrusted with arrangements.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries