Anton St. Cyr Martinez

Anton St Cyr Martinez, 76 years old, passed away peacefully, July 18, 2022 in Pelham, NY. He was born November 13, 1945 in Port-au-Prince Haiti, to Alma and Millia (St Cyr)Martinez. After meeting through mutual friends, Anton married the love of his life,Norma, on July 10, 1971.

At the age of eighteen, Anton moved to Manhattan with his mother Millia and his two brothers Angello and Joseph, where he pursued his architectural degree at New York Institute of Technology. Anton was an accomplished architect, who started his career working with Edward Larabee Barnes and later I.M. Pei, James Stewart Polshek, and Brad Perkins. During his 50+ year career, Anton worked on and oversaw many well-known projects such as the Jacob K. Javits Center, The New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the exterior envelope of the IBM building, and the new wing of the Milstein Heart Center at Columbia Presbyterian. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and incredible work ethic, Anton was a founding partner of Fellows Martinez and later a partner of the DaSilva Group. An enthusiastic and devoted teacher, Anton held positions at The Pratt Institute, The New School, and The Graduate school of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. Upon “retirement” Anton joyfully worked until his death, designing and redesigning homes all over Westchester County.

In addition to being a gifted architect, Anton was an accomplished, self-taught pianist. He was a founding member of Les Copains, a band he formed in Haiti, as well as the Pelham Jazz Ensemble. He played only by ear and always with heart, stopping to play every piano he passed, and impressing all along the way with his ability to play any tune instantly.

Anton, affectionately known as “The Duke of Detail”, dedicated his free time to restoring his vintage Mercedes and Austin-Healey, which miraculously fit his 6’ 9” frame, coaching the Sound Shore Stars Special Olympics team, and playing the piano for his beloved family and friends.

Predeceased by his eldest son Christopher, Anton is survived by his wife of 51 years, Norma Martinez, Christopher’s wife, Maura Duffy, his children: Andrew Martinez (Ashley Dikos), Erica Martinez, and Nicole Szajnberg-Martinez (Lily), his grandchildren: Brody and Olivia Martinez, Millia and Bennet Martinez, and Charles and Margaux Szajnberg-Martinez, and his eldest brother Angello. Anton is also predeceased by his brother Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the
Special Olympics team he coached: https://soundshorestars.com/donate

A celebration of Anton’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York on Sunday, July 24th from 1:00 to 5:00PM. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Catherine’s Church located at 25 Second Avenue, Pelham New York on Monday July 25th at 10:00 am. For more information or to leave acondolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com

To view the livestream of Anton's funeral Mass, please click here https://my.gather.app/remember/anton-martinez