Region Mourns Death of Senior Ambassador Fred Martinez
If ever there was a man worthy of distinction as a Diplomat, Alfredo Martin Martinez was that man. His Excellency Alfredo Martin Martinez passed away on Tuesday night, July 8, due to complications from what Foreign Affairs officials are calling a “full body chemical imbalance”.
Individuals close to Ambassador Martinez have been concerned about his health for some time now. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, says, “This is a time of extreme sadness.” He is one who had been concerned about the health of Belize’s most Senior Ambassador. Minister Elrington recounted a recent trip to the Dominican Republic for the SICA Heads of Government meeting in which he strongly encouraged Ambassador Martinez to leave the conference as soon as possible in order to tend to his health. Minister Elrington says, “We were together in the Dominican Republic and noticed that he was quite ill.” He says Belize lost a great Diplomat and an even greater man.
Even though his health was deteorating, Ambassador Martinez’s charm did not waiver. Minister Elrington says even though it was obvious he was not feeling well at the SICA meeting, “he was the same pleasant and upbeat gentleman we are used to.” Ambassador Martinez was born on September 9, 1953 and started his life of public service in the Orange Walk Rotaract Club in 1975. He served as the Governor of the Rotaract Clubs of Belize, Central America and Panama from 1982 to 1983. In 1984 he was appointed by Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel as a Senator and held the post of Leader of Government Business in the Senate up until 1989. He was elected Mayor of Orange Walk Town in 1985 and served up to 1988. He served a second term as Mayor from 1991 to 1992. Martinez was elected as Chairman of the United Democratic Party in 1990 and led the party to victory in 1993. He began his diplomatic career in 1993 when he was named Ambassador to Mexico, a post he held until 1997. In recognition of his outstanding work he was honoured by the Government of Mexico with the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest award offered to Foreign Diplomats. During his time as Ambassador to Mexico, he also served as Non Resident Ambasador to Venezuela, Cuba and Jamaica. He was then appointed to the Senate for a second time from 1997 to 1998 when he also served as Minister of Trade and Industry.
In 2003, Prime Minister Said Musa appointed Alfredo Martinez as Ambassador to Guatemala. Martinez had served as a member of the Belize Negotiating Team with Guatemala since 1988 but it was a most rare type of appointment. Martinez was a well known UDP politician appointed to a senior diplomatic post in a PUP Administration. It was a show of great respect for his diplomatic abilities and he did not let the nation down. Minister Elrington says, “I do not think many people realize how pivotal a role he has played in ensuring that we have a peaceful relationship with Guatemala.” Martinez was well respected within the Guatemalan Government. Elrington says, “For us to have remained with such an incident free relationship with Guatemala, a lot of that had to do with the skills of Ambassador Martinez… He has kept our country safe from the Guatemalan threat.”
Ambassador Martinez held many very prominent positions in Belize but it is not how important he was that most people will remember about him; it is how important he makes everyone else feels that they are. ‘Fred’ as he is more affectionately called, has a special ability to approach even the least significant individual in the room and let them feel as important to him as the special guests at the head table. He treats everyone like a diplomat and is therefore respected by everyone as a true gentleman. He leaves behind his wife Annalisa Agnelli Martinez and three sons Carlo, Gianni and Etienne.
State Funeral Arrangements will be announced. The memorial service for Ambassador Alfredo Martin Martinez is expected to be held in Orange Walk Town.
Belize City Legend passes
Family members and friends, even persons who did not know him are mourning the loss of 83 year old Zebedee Augustus Pitterson, he passed away on Tuesday morning while receiving treatment at the Belize Health Care Partners Hospital in Belize City. Pitterson was admitted to hospital on Monday July 7 at around 10p.m. and he died at around 5 on Tuesday July 8. He was being treated for blood pressure problems
Pitterson was well known and respected in Belize City, he was famous for establishing the Sunny and Tan Bakery which has been in operation for almost 55 years on Racecourse Street in Belize City. A few years ago Pitterson retired from the bakery but he remained an active member in society. He established the Feed My Sheep feeding program on East Canal in 1994 where he personally dutifully attended to children and just about anyone who walked in, serving them meals that they would otherwise be unable to afford.
For his labors he was recognized on at least two occasions in 2008 receiving the Spirit of Ubuntu Award presented by the Ministry of Education as well as receiving the Unsung Hero Award by First Caribbean bank also in 2008. He also received a Meritorious Service Award at the Tribute to Belizean Patriots also in 2008.
For all who knew Pitterson, they would describe him as a mild mannered individual who despite his nature was always firm in whatever resolve he took. He was a devout Adventist who followed life with a simple yet powerful mantra: Right is right and wrong is wrong! And he would follow this belief in every aspect of his life often times in the public domain. In the 2000’s he was one of the only bakers in Belize City to resist a price increase on bread which was being imposed on the Belizean people by the bakers association at the time. He would also criticize the manner in which BTL was being run, specifically the way in which shareholders were being deprived of dividends by the Ashcroft-controlled BTL.
Pitterson rose from less than humble beginnings when he was forced out of school in order to help support his family at a tender age of 11. He would often reminisce publicly that his upbringing gave him the fortitude to work hard for what he wanted. He would proudly boast that he started his business with $68 dollars worth of savings he had accumulated over years of hard work. He would also never shyly state that he once took out a 50 thousand dollar loan which he promptly paid within three days of him getting it.
Mr. Zebedee Pitterson became a fixture on Wave Radio’s ‘Fus Ting dah Mawnin’ being a regular caller on the program giving insight to listeners and more importantly offering religious passages to be read on-air.
Zebedee Pitterson will be missed…
