Remembering Dr. Roberto Fernandez Martinez

Dr. Roberto Fernandez Martinez, a man of steady kindness, medical devotion, and an enduring appetite for life, passed away on January 25, 2026. He was 86 years old.

Born on November 15, 1939, in Dagupan, Pangasinan, Philippines, to parents Quirino Martinez and Aurora Fernandez. Roberto was a diligent student and enjoyed running. In his youth at St. Columban’s Academy, he was a sprinter on the track team. When it came to his studies he was disciplined, often taking an afternoon nap when the house was loud and then staying up to study in the middle of the night when things got quiet so he could focus on his dream of becoming a doctor.

After graduating from the University of the East and earning his medical degree, Roberto moved to the United States. While his career took him through Virginia and Alabama, he eventually found his true home in Connecticut. For decades, he served his community as a physician within the State of Connecticut’s mental health system. He took his Hippocratic Oath to heart, always prioritizing his patients’ well-being above all else. Additionally, he taught his son the importance of finding a career where you can operate within the intersection of helping people and doing something that you enjoy.

Connecticut was half a world away from the Philippines, but Roberto never felt far from home thanks to the community he built in Sandy Hook. For over 40 years, he and his late wife, Aurora, shared their lives with wonderful family, friends, and neighbors. The Corrales, Sonido, and Rebong families, along with his longtime neighbor Marianne and her late parents, Walter and Helen, were more than just friends—they were the family that made New England feel like home.

To know Roberto was to know his simple pleasures. He was a lifelong learner who kept his mind active by following the news and watching Jeopardy! every night. When asked about his favorite books, he said the New England Journal of Medicine, a testament to his lifelong love for his profession.

Above all, Roberto loved a good meal. Whether it was lechon, bangus, shrimp, or squid, his appetite never wavered, and he was happiest when the table was full of food and family. In his later years, his focus shifted to his grandsons, Takuma and Yuma. In his final year, living in California, he was always checking in on them, always eager to hear about their latest school projects and ensuring they were getting the best education possible.

Roberto is survived by his son, RJ; daughter-in-law, Mayo; his grandsons, Takuma and Yuma; and his siblings, Teofilo, Sonia, Pilar, Carmen, Josefina, Christina, and Lydia. He is now reunited with his beloved wife, Aurora, and his sister, Victoria.

He was an easy-going soul who rarely let the world’s troubles upset him, choosing instead to enjoy life exactly as it came. He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of sharing a meal or a laugh with him.

We invite family and friends to honor the life of Dr. Roberto Fernandez Martinez (1939 – 2026).

Please find the service details for Green Hills Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA below:

Visitation & Wake

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Time: 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location: Green Hills Chapel 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Food will be available onsite.

Web link to view visitation online (<--click here)

Funeral Ceremony (Catholic Mass)

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Doors open at 8:30 AM)

Location: Green Hills Chapel 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Web link to view Funeral Ceremony online (<--click here) (viewable 90 days after service)

Family and Friends Lunch (message RJ to RSVP)

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: Lunasia Torrance (<--click here for directions)

Flowers & Tributes:

Floral tributes may be sent directly to the chapel in care of Dr. Roberto Martinez: Green Hills Memorial Park 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Attire:

Respectful, conservative attire in dark colors is requested.

Donations:

For those that would like to donate to a cause, we recommend Doctors without Borders (<--click for link) or Direct Relief (<--click for link) which align with Dr. Roberto Martinez's commitment to the Hippocratic oath.