Obituary of Fulgencio Miguel Marti

Fulgencio Miguel Marti, 79, passed away peacefully on April 5^th, 2024, in his Falls Church, VA home.  Fulgenico is survived by his wife Juana Marti, his sons Miguel Marti and Jose Marti, his grandchildren Demetrio Marti, Dominic Marti, Anthony Jose Marti, Emila Marti, his daughter-in-laws Alyssa Marti and Brittany Marti, his sisters Nidia Carmenates and Alicia Vasquez and his nephews Luis Miguel Rodriguez, Ricardo Carmenates and nieces Susana Valdez and Diana Carmenates.

Fulgencio was born in Baire, Cuba on January 16, 1945 to Miguel Angel Marti and Rosa Marti.  He grew up with a large family of siblings and cousins, and spent a happy childhood swimming and fishing in the waters near his home.  His father had a general store in town and Fulgencio spent many hours helping his dad tend to the family business.  In 1961 at the young age of 16, Fulgencio’s family made the difficult decision to send him and his sister Paula Marti to the United States to escape the Cuban government’s oppressive communist regime.  Fulgencio began his new life in Washington, DC and lived with his aunt, Victoria Perez.  Fulgencio attended Bell Multicultural High School as he adjusted to learning a new language and new surroundings.  But he was not alone, as he would eventually be joined by his sisters Paula, Carmen, Nidia and Alicia.  Together they established family roots and the extension of their family from Cuba to the United States.

Fulgencio made his way into the grocery business and eventually began working at Giant Food.  One day in 1971 while at work, Fulgencio was struck by the thunderbolt, a young and beautiful woman named Juana.  Fulgencio began his courtship and they were married in October 1975.  The young family started their journey together, initially living in Washington, DC before moving to Arlington, VA when in April 1980 they were blessed with their first child, Miguel.  The growing family then moved to their future home in Falls Church, VA in 1981.  More blessings would arrive in July 1983 when their second child, Jose, was born.  The family of four was now complete, and their Falls Church home would be the family epicenter, where Fulgencio and Juana raised their sons through adulthood.

Fulgencio was a devoted father who loved his sons dearly and made every effort to provide for and nurture them.  Fulgencio was a constant presence in their lives, passing down his values of faith and family to his boys.  From the early days of childhood, through their teenage years and into adulthood, Fulgencio was there every step of the way offering his guidance, his support and his love.  Fulgencio shared his love of sports with his sons, from baseball to basketball and football.  His favorite teams were the Washington Senators and Miami Dolphins.  But his passion for baseball and fandom of the Washington Senators topped the list.  Miguel and Jose could always count on their father cheering for them at Little League games, high school games and even at their old man baseball leagues.  He loved baseball, but loved watching his boys playing even more.  ‘Pop’ was their Number 1 fan.

After successfully raising their sons and putting them through college at James Madison University, Fulgencio and Juana enjoyed their well-earned retirement.  Fulgencio worked at Giant Food for 42 years, a testament to his work ethic and his ‘man on a mission’ mentality.  Fulgencio settled into retired life, attending each of his sons’ weddings and welcoming new additions to the family Alyssa and Brittany.  He would add a new title, ‘Abuelo’, for his beloved grandchildren Deme, AJ, Dominic and Emila.  Each of them were able to spend time growing up with their Abuelo, and his love of baseball continued to be passed down to his grandsons as they all now play the game. 

Fulgencio was a loving husband to his wife Juana, a devoted father to his sons, an affectionate grandfather, a caring brother and godfather, and a man of unwavering faith to God.  He will be truly missed by his family and friends.