I met Harold Sr in December of 2004. He gave me a job when I really needed one, and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I was given the wonderful gift of being able to work alongside and get to know the Martinez family. They are probably the most close knit family I have ever known, and it all stemed from Harold. I feel truly blessed to have Harold and his family in my life. I miss working with all of you...thank you for everything! My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Kerry

Grandpa you have no idea the impact you had on my life. I thought about you today... my stomach was upset....and I heard you tell me to drink 7up to settle my stomach. The thought made me smile. I hope you were listening the other night at your wake....because WE MISS YOU ALREADY. you touched a lot of people's lives....in so many ways. we'll talk soon. Love you ---Christina V.

I was priviledged to have know Harold. Every time I spoke with him I felt I learned something. HIs experiences formed him into the remarkable man he was. He will truly be missed.

It was a privilege knowing Harold. I felt liked I learned something every time I spoke with him. His life experiences were incredible and made him into the exceptional man he was. He will truly be missed by all.

It was something to watch him dig in and fight while keeping his wits about him. I met Harold as he was taking on a major business issue when all seemed lost and the legal system had stacked all the cards against him/ Here he was a man who played by the rules, had the highest level of integrity and yet all around him it seem that circumstances were trying to drag him down. It was clear from watching him that he was not new to the concept of fighting for what was right, yet in the middle of all of it, he always asked me how I was doing, about my family with a sincere air of concern regardless of what he was going through he continually showed concern for those around him. Harold blazed the trail for Hispanic business people regardless of what we do, professionals, contractors, restaurant owners doesn't matter, those of us who are out on our own, who believe in the American Dream and happen to have brown skin owe him so much. I do not say that because he is gone, I say that because it is true. I have spoken of him often to many people that I meet and I will continue to do so, as Harold was a fighter, a soldier, and like a soldier he made sacrafices and fought battles for all of us that is how I will remember him.

I feel very blessed to have met and worked with Harold Martinez. His zest for life and vision for a brighter future were very evident in the brief time that I have known him. In reading this wonderful tribute, I see that I was very lucky to have had the opprotunity to know such a remarkable man. He will truly be missed. My thought and prayers are with the entire family. Sincerely, Renee Melgoza

So many of us were fortunate to have our Uncle Harold. Since we grew up living near Uncle Harold's family in the 1960's and 1970's, I have many memories of our families together. One of my favorites is going to Shakey's every Friday after the grown ups got home from work. There was a man there playing piano and singing, and the adults would join in while the cousins were playing and running around the restaurant. Uncle Harold was a very fun loving man, and I feel blessed to have known him. His memory will live on in our hearts forever. Hopefully he and my mom are singing old tunes again up in Heaven.

Harold gave me a second chance when I really didn't deserve one. He called me out of the blue after a year and a half of being fired from sales and asked me to come back to work for him. I loved him dearly for this and so many other reasons. I am eternally indebted to Harold and his family. Harold inspired me to be a better person. He was the most gracious person I have known in all my life. In a world that owed him much, he would still be the first to say "Thank you"...He was also one of the "coolest" men you will ever know (cool in the way of a 50's jazz musician or a member of the Rat Pack). I sat in his office yesterday to try and let it sink in... ... He was too strong a presence to ever really be gone entirely. Here's a "Whooo Knoooooows" for old times sake. You will be missed, my friend...