Frank Graham Martinez - Bodden Funeral Services

Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of
Frank Graham Martinez
Ab
The Seaman’s Prayer
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift
He lighteth my way across dark water
He steereth me to safe harbor
He keepeth my log
Yea, though I sail midst the thunders and tempests of life
I shall dread no danger
For thou art with me
My ship shall sail safely
Thy care and love shall shelter me forever
Amen.
Acknowledgement
The family of the late Frank Graham Martinez extends our heartfelt thanks, appreciation and gratitude to all who expressed their care, love and sympathy in so many ways. Our thanks also to the doctors and nurses at the George Town Hospital who so lovingly cared for our father during his prolonged illness. Special thanks to his loving and devoted caregiver of fifteen years, Angie Sinclair, the Cayman Islands Seafarer’s Association, the staff of Bodden Funeral Home, especially Karien, for your kindness, patience and excellent care and service during this very difficult time. Funeral Service and Programmes entrusted to Bodden Memorial Funeral Home Tel: 345 - 949 - 7464
March 18, 1933 - September 21, 2015
“Those that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; They see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep oceans.” Psalms 107: 23 & 24
Calvary Baptist Church
Grand Cayman
Monday, September 28, 2015
3:00 p.m.
Officiating Minister:
Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Organist:
Thenicia Frazer
Interment will follow at the South Sound Cemetery.
Graveside Service
Order Of Service
Opening Remarks & Reading : Psalm 46:1-7................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Prayer ............................................................................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Hymn “Amazing Grace ” ................................................................................................................... Congregation
Scripture Reading: John 11: 21-26 .................................................................................. Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Tributes:
Family .............................................................................................................................................. Daughter
Special Song “God On The Mountain” .........................................................................................................
Musical Tribute from Wife “Beyond The Great Divide” ............................................................. Slide Show
Eulogy ......................................................................................................................................... Hon. Roy Bodden
Message & Prayer for the Family .................................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Hymn “Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me”....................................................................................................... Congregation
Benediction ..................................................................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Seafarer’s Farewell ...................................................................................................................................................
Recessional ...............................................................................................................................................................
Pallbearers
Mr. Julian Martinez
Mr. Ryan Martinez
Mr. Sean Martinez
Mr. Dawson Melaneo
Mr. Justin Thompson
Mr. Richard Tressider
Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 15: 51-57 ......................................................................... Carl Morgan
Prayer ..................................................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Hymn “What a Friend We have in Jesus” .............................................................. Congregation
Committal ............................................................................................... Pastor Michael Jeremiah
Hymn “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” ........................................................... Congregation
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
Honorary Pallbearers
Mr. Clifton (Cliff) Bodden
Mr. Jill Bodden
Hon. Roy Bodden
Mr. Clifton (CB) Bodden
Mr. Brent Bush
Mr. Darvin (Buddy) Bush
Mr. Gerald Bush
Mr. Arley Chisholm
Mr. Allan (Shirley) Ebanks
Hon. Anthony Eden
Mr. Booth Hurlston
Mr. Harry Hurlston
Capt. Paul Hurlston
Mr. Julian Lee
Mr. Antonio (Tony) Martinez
Mr. Brian Martinez
Mr. Barry Martinez
Mr. Rudy Martinez
Hon. Gilbert McLean
Mr. Ernest McFarlane
Mr. Gordon McLauglin
Mr. Andrew Mellaneo
Mr. Dwayne Mellaneo
Mr. Randy Mellaneo
Mr. Sean Mellaneo
Mr. William Powell
Mr. Clarkson (Steve) Russell
Mr. Hamlin Stephenson
Mr. Alva Suckoo
Mr. Robert (Bob) Thompson Sr.
Mr. Wilbur (Bing) Thompson
Mr. George Tisdin
Ushers
The Calvary Baptist Church Ushers
Guest Book Attendants
Mrs. Brenda Bush
Miss Sandra Parchment
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
When the Trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
Refrain: When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, when the roll is called up yonder,
I’ll be there
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share when His chosen ones shall gather
To their home beyond the skies, and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care then when all of life is over
And our work on earth is done and the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Like his mother our father loved to read. He was a knowledgeable man who was able to discuss with great insight and equally strong views almost any subject including history, politics and world affairs. Throughout the years he would patiently await the arrival of his long time friend, the Hon. Roy Bodden for a good long talk about the state of affairs of the country but most importantly the state of the world at large.
Despite the love, kindness and the many good times that we shared as a family, our father was a complex man who was far from perfect. Above all, he was a kind, giving and loving man. He had an impeccable work ethic. He had a sense of humor second to none. Despite his shortcomings and the battle with the demons that accompa‐
nied his consumption of alcohol, wherever he went, our father was greeted with affection, love and respect. It gives us much pride and great comfort that he was able, of his own volition to put that part of his life completely behind him more than twenty years ago. It also gives us much comfort to know that today he is free of his shackles and at peace with his God.
The late Frank Graham Martinez was predeceased by his parents Ramon and Rita Martinez, infant son, Thomas, one brother, Nicholas and daughter in law Tessa Left to mourn his passing are his beloved wife of more than sixty years, Janice Martinez, four children, Billy, Karin, Sean and Diane, two brothers, Tony Martinez, Dawson Mellaneo and one sister, Rita Martinez,
Elven grandchildren, Candis, Justin, Jovita, Danielle, Brittany, Julian, Ryan, Chanel, Janelle, Sean Lucas and Gianna, six great grandchildren Kyle, Erin, , Jahnae, Knox,Skyler, Josaida four sisters‐in‐law, Clova, Marjorie Ena and Valda, one son in law, Bing, two daughter in laws, Jennifer, and Shelma special friend Andylane Bush, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins relatives and friends. You never said I'm leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knew why,
A million times we cried
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died,
In life we loved you dearly
In death we love you still
In our hearts you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone
For all our love went with you,
The day God took you home.
Papa, All the precious memories of you will reside in our Hearts. Love Always Billy, Shelma, Jo Jo and Julian
Sail on dear Daddy
Sail on Strong
May clear skies, gentle breezes And calm seas
Be with you on your eternal voyage
Love you forever
Love you for always
Teeya
Papa’s Poem
Now that I have left you, please do not be sad,
Start each day with a happy smile, And for my sake and in my name,
Live on and do all things the same, Fill each day doing good, Reach out your hand in kindness as I would,
I in turn will comfort you,
For I am waiting by the sea so blue.
Service Hymns
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come,
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
than when we’d first begun.
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me
Jesus, Savior, pilot me
over life's tempestuous sea;
unknown waves before me roll,
hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
As a mother stills her child,
thou canst hush the ocean wild;
boisterous waves obey thy will,
when thou sayest to them, "Be still!"
wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.
When at last I near the shore,
and the fearful breakers roar
'twixt me and the peaceful rest,
then, while leaning on thy breast,
may I hear thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee."
selflessly and no doubt with great personal care and sacrifice purchase from his ports of call from around the world, including Japan, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Brazil. In his frequent letters (some of which would take a month or more to arrive) and during his brief stays at home, Daddy would share seemingly endless stories of the places he had been and what he had seen. He was delighted to tell with great relish, stories of his shipmates and in later years he would leave us in stitches of laughter with tales of the sometimes less than kind jokes that he had played on his special friends. Apparently, one of Daddy’s favourite pastimes when he was off duty was to offer his letter writing skills to a few of his ship mates who were not necessarily as eloquent in their letter writing skills as our father. These letters, whilst for the greater part stated all the things that any good family man should say, Frankie as he was known could not resist the addition of a line or two to the spouse of his unsuspecting friend in which the various escapades whilst in port, whether real or imagined were set out in explicit detail to the devoted, faithful and loving wife waiting back home patiently for the return of her loved one.
Our father loved to read and listen to his favourite tunes from the 50’s and 60’s. But most of all he loved the sea. He loved to speak of his ships , referring to each one with great love and a deep sense of respect. There was the Harold H. Helm, the Percy Jordan, the SS Ore Titan and the SS Meridian, a ship that he would in his later years state was not only his last ship but also the one that he so loved that he would in fact return to join her one last time after making what he then thought would have been his last trip to sea.
In 1949, whilst riding on his donkey in the company of his childhood friend, Rex Crighton (of blessed memory) our father met three young women, Enola, Melba and Janice Jackson who were walking to George Town from their home in Newlands along with their good friend the late , Sheppie Brandon who was on his way to visit his aunt. As it would turn out, Frankie, Rexie and Sheppie were firm pals. Despite Sheppie’s initial reluctance to introduce his three friends from Newlands, Rexie suggested that Frankie offer the girls a lift to town on Minnie the donkey. The rest is history. Following a courtship of several years and dispite the marked lack of enthusiasm of Papa Tom, our parents were united in marriage at the home of Sheppie’s aunt, Cousin Erna Hislop. The eldest of the three girls, Enola had by that point in time married my father’s childhood friend the late Leon Bush from South Sound. The third friend, Melba remains married to yet another close childhood friend from South Sound, Denham (Denny) Hurlston. Today we mourn the loss of the last of the three young boys making up that fateful meeting of six. Rexie, who remained a lifelong friend to our family passed on to his heavenly reward a mere week before his childhood friend and shipmate, Frankie. It gives us comfort to know that in death they are together again.
With a growing family and the start of the construction boom in the mid‐sixties, our father made what could not have been a particularly easy decision and that was the decision to permanently give up his life on the sea. Yet, he would often be heard to tell his children and his grandchildren that salt water flowed through their PaPa’s veins. In fact, until he was robbed of his ability to speak two years ago, Daddy referred to his room as his “cabin”, his bed as his “bunk” and if he felt the need, he oftentimes offered to “keep watch”.
Following his return home in December 1965, our husband and father worked for a number of years with the Public Works Department (PWD) before joining the steel engineering crew at McAlpine where he remained until he was forced to retire due to ill health. As a family, we have sought to provide those of you that may not have known him as well as others with a brief insight in the life of the man that we were so proud to call our husband and father.
Daddy was an honest, hard working, decent and modest man who never failed to provide for his family. He loved the sport of boxing and having once had the privilege of having tea with Agatha Christie at her home in England he would always say that his two life long dreams had been realized having had the opportunity of seeing Mohamed Ali in person at the Pageant Beach site and being given a coveted seat on a bleacher at the Lion Center where he was able to cheer on his hero, Sugar Ray Leonard albeit on the big screen and not in person.
Life Story
Born on the 18th March 1933 in the home of his late maternal grandmother, Rebecca Bodden, Frank Graham Martinez was the first son and eldest child of the late Ramon Martinez of Isla de Pina in Cuba and his wife, Rita Martinez (nee Bodden) of the little fishing village of South Sound.
Frankie, as he was affectionately known to his many friends, started his formal education at the little school house in South Sound. He would later complete his primary education at the Bethel Christian Academy on the water front in George Town upon which he was enrolled in the newly opened Triple C School where his mother was a teacher.
Frankie's early days were as happy as a young boy growing up in South Sound in the 1930’s and 1940’s could possibly be. His many childhood friends, including his devoted and lifelong friend, Booth Hurlston who shares our loss today, fondly recalls the days of bare feet, crabbing, fishing, heading out to the quay, climbing the pop nut trees, cutting wood for fuel, roaming the bay looking for whatever they could find, picking and eating coco plums and sea grapes. His childhood friend, Booth lovingly recalls the many pranks played by our father on his many buddies.. Sadly, most of their boyhood friends and cousins including the late Leon Bush, Berkeley Wight, Jimmy Bush, Tommy Hurlstone, Freddie, Cleaver and Buddy Bush have passed on before him. Also gone are his lifelong friends, Gwen, Sonia, Chloe, Ramona (Moonie) and Irene. Even following the onset of the dreaded disease that would claim his life eight years later, our mother would frequently return with our father to South Sound where he would sit on the bay and look out to sea for hours at a time. Following the loss of his short term memory he would still frequently ask for the old timers from his youth including Cousins Bertie, Harold and their wives Cousins Una and Violet. Also etched deep in his memory were Cousin Nettie and her sister Cousin Elsie. Many times he would ask my mother to stop by Tiny’s and Berkeleys both before and after they too had passed on. That is just the way our father was. South Sound was his home and it’s people were his people. Despite his infectious smile, laughing blue eyes, friendly disposition and love of all things of the sea, our father recognized from a very early age that he would have to find a way to assist his family, in particular his beloved grandmother Dinah Bodden, a widow at the young age of twenty five when her husband, Cleaver Bodden died suddenly from a heart attack leaving her with their four year old son, Clifton and awaiting the birth of our father’s mother, Rita who was born on 20 September, 1910, just two months following the death of her father. Having raised her two young children, Clifton and Rita with the help of her parents the late William (Grandpa Billy) and his wife, Arabella Hinds (nee Eden) along with her three sisters, Kathleen, Thermutis and Rosa, it would later fall upon the shoulders of her son Clifton, daughter Rita, her first born grandchild, our father and his brother Antonio (Tony) to carry on where the others had left off.
As a young boy our father would get up early and go fishing or diving for conchs to ensure that his special grand aunt, Thermutis (to whom we all affectionately referred as Mutis”who was an excellent cook, was able to put food on the table. Even as children we so well recall the many nights when our father was home from sea, how he would take his homemade kerosene torche and head out on the shoals only to return with a large ground basket filled with lobsters.
With very limited means and opportunities to make a meaningful living for his family, our father began his life as a seaman at the age of twenty one when he joined an oil tanker, the Keora, owned by the Bernuth & Limbeck Line. In the years that would follow, he would return home on leave for short periods after a stint of a year or two at sea. Within a few weeks he would receive his “call” to return to the sea to join the ships that would throughout the years become as much a part of our lives as they were a part of his. With great sadness we would say our farewells, yet always looking forward to his safe return with the goodies that he would so