Jonathan Martinez

click here to view live stream – Password = Cunningham

Jonathan Martinez: A Story of Light, Love, and Music

Jonathan Martinez was born on April 4th, 1988, to parents Ernesto and Carmen Martinez and big brother Ernesto Orlando Martinez Jr or as we lovingly call him Orlandito. Orlandito was not the happiest person when it came to the reality of being a big brother but soon realized he had no choice and Jonathan was here to stay. Two Years later Jonathans twin little sisters Vanessa and Rebeca were born. Jonathan loved being a big brother. There were many times that his mother would find him in Vanessa’s and Rebeca’s crib because he needed to make sure his sisters were ok. As he grew older, he relished what being older meant in terms of trying to boss his little sisters around. Emphasis on the trying part.

There was never a dull moment in the Martinez household growing up. From board games, to made -up children’s games, to watching cartoons, and sneaking to the living room to watch MTV. Orlandito, Jonathan, Vanessa, and Rebeca were usually by each others’ side. Orlandito was the designer; creating different “obstacle courses” for his younger siblings to try. Vanessa was the fashionista; she made sure every outfit she wore matched to perfection. Rebeca was the reader; her nose was always stuck in some book. But Jonathan, was the musician.

Jonathan first fell in love with playing musical instruments at the early age of 10, when he began playing the drums at his church Elohim Evangelical Assembily, where both of his parents were the senior pastors. Following his father’s legacy of playing the drums, there was no beat too hard for Jonathan to pick up or song too difficult for him to play. At the ripe age of 12, while he was attending The Lab School in the Bronx, Jonathan was introduced to his one true love: the violin. Under the tutelage of his music teacher Mr. Richard, Jonathan fell in love with the violin and was never the same. He loved playing the violin so much that he even majored in it when he went to high school. Jonathan’s love for music would further flourish under his high school violin teacher, Ms. Friedman, at the High School for Violin and Dance (HSVD). Jonathan had the most pure, raw, and unfettered talent most people had ever seen. His skill on the violin back in high school was only matched by a select few. He was Electric. His energy, untamable. His personality, magnetic. His love, never ever ending. All he wanted to do was get better and he did. He overcame. Playing the violin taught Jonathan so much about love, life, and beautiful music.

Jonathan’s love for music was unmatched until September 5, 2009, when his first-born son, Elijah James, was born. Jonathan took to being a father instantly; it was love at first sight for him when he laid eyes on E.J. On June 17, 2012, Jonathan’s family grew even more when he married his wife, Margaret Martinez, and gained a stepdaughter, Ava Marie. A year later his second daughter, Savannah Jay, was born on July 4th. Lastly, his youngest son, Giovanni Francis, was born on September 28, 2017. From beatboxing and dancing with Elijah, to tea parties and playing dress up with Ava, to making dancing videos for TikTok with Savannah, to building Lego’s with Gio; to know Jonathan, was to know how much he loved his children.

Jonathan was such a light. Every room he walked into shined that much brighter because of his presence. He was the biggest jokester that would leave you laughing so hard you would forget how to breathe. Jonathan had an uncanny ability to make you smile and feel happy with just a word and his flirty contagious smile.

Jonathan was a friend, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, a grandson, a father, and a beloved son. He was loved by many and his loss is felt deeply.

Our dear Jonathan, we will love you and remember you forever.

Rest in music…. until we meet again.