Rafael A. Martinez "Popo", 61, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away unexpectedly in Hartford Hospital, on August 22, 2018.  Born in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of Estrella (Hernandez) Martinez and the late Rafael E. Martinez.  Rafael worked as a master electrician for the city of Hartford.  He loved his family and living the simple life.   He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a story teller who loved the Florida life.

Rafael leaves behind his beloved wife Marie Martinez of Port St. Lucie, FL, their son Manuel F. Martinez and his spouse Lucelly Garcia, and their daughter Monica M. Martinez and her spouse Khalif Jemison, all of Hartford.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alyssa 'Slim', Kelis 'Kiki', Nas 'Nasaroni', Rafael 'Ralfy', Havana, and Kingzly; his sisters Maria and her husband Carlos, and Gloria and her husband Ramon, his sister-in-law Myrna; father-in-law Felix Meizoso and his wife Zenaida; his mother-in-law Maria Meizoso and his dearest friend Ernesto.  He leaves his nieces and nephews, DeeDee and Lito, Michi, Christy, Sandra and Ed, Ray and Missy, Carla and Chad, Mercy, Elina and Pablo, Jose and Laura, Carla and Joe, EJ, Nathaniel, Joshua, Breanna, Juliana, Carlos, Joshua, Nathan, Jelina, Gabby, Colton, Mia, Ray, Chadly, Janessa, Elisa, Brooki, Lyndon, AJ and Emily.  Besides his father, Rafael was predeceased by his brother Manny and his sister-in-law Sandy.

The funeral service will begin on Wednesday, August 29th, 9:00 AM at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00 AM, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Ave., Hartford.  Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, August 28th, from 5:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.  Please visit www.dillonbaxter.com to share a memory with the family.