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Danny Martinez sits at his desk on his first day of work in 1954 at Hudson Pulp & Paper Corp. in Palatka. Hudson was eventually acquired by Georgia-Pacific, where he retired in 1992.
People throughout Putnam County are mourning the loss of a friend and business leader, whom they said was “full of grace.”
Daniel “Danny” Martinez, 95, died Thursday night at his Palatka home. He would have turned 96 on Oct. 31.
Businessman Ben Bates, who has known Martinez since the 1970s, said Martinez was a dear friend and a partner in numerous investments. Bates described Martinez as a firm but kind-hearted, sharp and intelligent man. When Martinez spoke, Bates said, people listened.
“In my mind, he has probably done more for this community than anyone I know,” Bates said. “He’s the titan among men in this community.”
Martinez was involved with numerous organizations across Putnam County, including Haven Hospice, Rodeheaver Boys Ranch and Boy Scouts of America.
Martinez grew up in Tampa, and after graduating from the University of Florida, he moved to Palatka in the 1950s with his wife, Katherine, better known as Katie.
In 1952, he joined Hudson Pulp & Paper Corp. in Palatka as a research chemical engineer. When Georgia-Pacific acquired Hudson in 1979, Martinez became the Palatka mill manager.
His job required him to move to Atlanta, where he retired in 1992 as the senior vice president of pulp and paper manufacturing, according to Chris Gent, the GP public affairs manager at the Palatka mill.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Danny Martinez, a former mill manager and Georgia-Pacific leader who made significant contributions to our Palatka mill, our company, and the community he held dear,” a statement from GP reads. “Danny’s impact was immeasurable, and his dedication and expertise were instrumental in our success. Our thoughts and condolences are with Danny’s family and friends as they navigate this difficult time. His memory will forever be cherished, and his legacy will continue to inspire us all.”
After he retired, Martinez later returned to Palatka, where he served as a tissue manufacturing consultant for Latin American companies until 2017, the Palatka Daily News reported.
Throughout his career and even afterward, Martinez kept Putnam County at the forefront of his mind. In fact, Bates said, Martinez thought about Putnam County until the very end. Bates said when he met with Martinez last week, Martinez was making plans for a meeting in January.
Bates and businessman Wayne McClain said it would be hard to find an organization in which Martinez was not involved. McClain called Martinez an unselfish, one-of-a-kind man.
“His soul was just full of generosity,” McClain said. “His soul was just full of grace.”
Martinez would tackle any vital community issue, even if it were not popular, such as the Putnam County School District’s bond referendum to build new schools, McClain said.
Voters approved the referendum in the 2022 general election. Superintendent Rick Surrency said he doesn’t believe the bond referendum would have passed without Martinez’s help.
“Danny has helped me as superintendent by constantly encouraging me to have a bold vision for our school district and community. He had so much confidence in himself that influenced me as a leader,” Surrency said. “I knew that if he could be so energetic and impactful in the community in his 90s, I should be able to follow his example.”
Martinez’s wife, Katie, died in 2021 while in the care of Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center. He often thanked Haven and their employees for how well they cared for his wife.
He set up the Katie & Danny Martinez Palliative Care Endowment at Haven Hospice and hosted fundraising events for the Haven Hospice Foundation. He served as the chairman of the Haven Hospice Foundation board.
Sharon Jones, the vice president of development for the foundation, said Martinez was a great leader and mentor who never forgot he came from Palatka. He loved the city and couldn’t understand why the rest of the world didn’t love it as much as he did, she said.
He was instrumental in establishing the Haven Hospice Foundation, Jones said, and was generous toward the endowment in honor of his wife.
“He was a quick wit and appreciated quick-witted people around him, and we’ll all miss him,” Jones said.
Martinez was a philanthropist who looked out for everyone regardless of their social class or job title, the Rev. Karl Flagg said.
He said Martinez was one of the most significant community leaders to come through Putnam County. Community leaders nicknamed Martinez “The Godfather” because he listened methodically, was a purpose-driven leader and included everyone in his decisions, Flagg said.
“To me, he was the professor of community-servant leaders,” Flagg said.
Martinez didn’t want fanfare for helping people, Flagg said. The late businessman and philanthropist simply wanted to honor others, Flagg said.
Martinez was a mentor who invested in other leaders and belonged in every boardroom or meeting because he brought ideas to the tables that no one else did, Flagg added.
Members of the community Martinez loved can pay their respects at his memorial service, which will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Florida School of the Arts Auditorium at St. Johns River State College, 5001 St Johns Ave. in Palatka.
“His footprints will be forever etched in the sands of time in Putnam County,” he said.
Editor Brandon Oliver contributed to this story.
