Alberto 'Berty' Martinez-Perez

Alberto “Berty” Ivan Martinez Perez, 74 of Peterborough, NH passed away peacefully at Monadnock Community Hospital on August 12, 2021, with family by his side.

Alberto was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico on July 14, 1947, the eldest of 5 born to the late Raquel Benilda Perez Ramirez (a poet, writer, and homemaker), and Alberto Martinez Bernat (an entrepreneur and business owner). He was predeceased by 3 of his 4 siblings Raul Martinez Perez, Myrna Ivette Martinez Perez, Dafnin Wilfredo Martinez Perez and Jose Miguel Martinez Perez, as well as his adopted sisters Maribel and Nereida Vializ.

He grew up in a loving and tight-knit Puerto Rican family where he was encouraged to pursue his dreams. At the young age of 9, he was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes which only made him more resilient in the face of life's challenges.

As a young man, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico and also furthered his education at the Technology Institute of Puerto Rico, where he excelled in computer programming and other innovative subjects. He was employed at Woolworth’s department store and later enjoyed working at Hewlett Packard where he applied his technical and mechanical abilities.

On December 21, 1969, he married Carmen Romero with whom he had three wonderful children: Denisse, Alberto, and Sheilla. Together for 25 years, he and Carmen instilled in their children the essential role of family, the value of service, and the importance of helping those in need. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many leadership positions within the church. His hospitable demeaner would find his home often filled with guests who were down on their luck, or friends of the family who needed help.

Alberto was a very supportive and encouraging father always giving his children confidence to reach for their full potential in life. He was known for his sense of fashion and love of photography. He sought out adventure and enjoyed being a risk-taker—whether it was building his own racecar, riding motorcycles or scuba diving. He liked speed and anything that presented an exciting challenge.

It was from this adventurous spirit combined with a desire to give his children the best life possible, that Alberto was the first of his family to move to the mainland in 1987. Together, Alberto, Carmen, and the children settled in Lawrence, MA where he resided for twenty years. During this time, he pursued an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from UMASS Lowell- always challenging himself to learn and grow. Alberto was employed full time at Ideal Box Company in Lawrence MA where he worked for many years until he became disabled.

In 2007, he moved to Jaffrey, NH where he had the good fortune to be cared for by his daughter Sheilla, and his son-in-law Jon Parkerson, and their children in their home. As a parent (and later as a grandparent) he made it a priority to be present to support milestones, celebrations, performances, sporting events where loved ones were sharing their gifts. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren who adored him right back. Even his disability became his strength as he would often make jokes about his prosthetic leg to lighten any mood.

Not even age or illness slowed him down as Alberto would continue to tinker like a mechanic even in his final years. Taking machines apart and reassembling them brought him great satisfaction and kept his mind sharp as he aged.

He loved The Beatles, Country Music, as well as Argentine Tango. He played the guitar as well and often found solace and joy in music- another value he passed along to his children and grandchildren. “House of the Rising Sun” and “Hotel California” were two of his favorites to play on his guitar.

Alberto will always be remembered for his zest for life, his tremendous sense of humor, and the special twinkle in his eyes. Even in illness, he always answered, “I’m OK’—a testimony to his gratitude for all that he had and so as to not burden others with is pain or problems. He was resilient to the end and always advised those that he loved to find humor in life’s most challenging moments. It was in that spirit that he passed listening to loved ones tell stories about his adventures.

Alberto is survived by his brother Dafnin Wilfredo Martinez of Puerto Rico; his ex-wife Carmen Romero of Lawrence, MA; his adopted sisters, Nereida and Maribel Vailiz of Puerto Rico, as well as his three wonderful children, Denisse Ivette Martinez Aponte of Lawrence, MA, Alberto Ivan Martinez Aponte of Methuen, MA / Lilliana Martinez of Williamsburg, VA, and Sheilla Ivette (Martinez) Parkerson / Jonathan Parkerson of Jaffrey, NH. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Fabian and Camila Zapata Martinez, Elliel and Yamil Velazquez Martinez, of Lawrence, MA; Luis Alberto and Daniel Alberto Martinez of Williamsburg VA; Sheylina, Drake, and Dahlia Parkerson of Jaffrey, NH; and one great grandchild Israel Reyes Zapata of Lawrence, MA.

A wake and funeral service is scheduled for Monday, August 23rd at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 65 Old Bennington Road in Peterborough, NH 03458, beginning with a visiting hour from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. A funeral service will commence at 1:00 pm followed by a procession to the burial site in Pine Hill Cemetery, at 20 Sand Hill Road, Peterborough, NH. A celebration of life will follow at 3:30pm back at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The family wishes to extend deep thanks to the staff at Summerhill Assisted Living, Pheasant Wood, and Monadnock Community Hospital - all of whom provided exceptional care to Alberto in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Alberto’s memory to the Church Humanitarian Services Fund, or to the charity of your own choosing.

https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services