Antonio Joaquim Martinho's Obituary
Antonio Joaquim “Tony” Martinho passed away of natural causes on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in Union City, CA, at the age of 82. Born in Portugal on January 30, 1943, Tony was the beloved child of Jose Luis Martinho and Esperanca Garcia Lopes. Even as a child, he brought light and laughter wherever he went, touching those around him with kindness and humor.
Although his father was born in California, Tony made his own journey to the U.S. in 1968, settling first in San Leandro before planting roots in Fremont, CA. A successful entrepreneur, Tony owned and operated multiple care homes for the developmentally disabled for over thirty years. Tony was passionate about helping others. Many of his clients in the care homes often referred to him as ‘Dad’ and he was dedicated to ensuring that they had a great quality of life.
He also had a soft spot for all creatures great and small—dogs, cats, birds, and even the occasional squirrel who wandered into the yard. If it had fur, feathers, or a heartbeat, Tony probably tried to feed it.
Tony was, at his core, a people person – a devoted husband, father, brother, cousin and friend. He is survived by his cherished wife, Nida Martinho, whom he shared countless adventures and joint passion for both dancing and travel. He leaves behind his three beloved children, Joe, Tina and Marella as well as 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations, in honor of Tony, be made to the Alzheimer’s Associations at https://www.alz.org, which is an organization dedicated to providing support, resources and conducting research to patients and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and various types of dementia.
His legacy is one of love, laughter, and a life well-lived. He will be deeply missed—but never forgotten.
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