SJ Fire Captain Dies

Young fire captain leaves behind wife, young son and newborn twins.

The San Jose fire department is mourning the loss of one of their own to a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Captain Jose Martinez died last Friday.

His illness came on quickly.  The fire department said he worked his last shift at Fire Station No. 12 on May 31.

He was hospitalized the next week after having difficulty breathing. He was then diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma in mid-June. Synovial Sarcoma is a malignant tumor of the soft tissues.

He died less than two months after being diagnosed.

During those two months, Capt. Martinez became a father to twins. His wife Melissa gave birth to two little girls named Sophia and Olivia just 17 days before his death.

The fire department said, "Jose was happy to spend time with his wife, son and new daughters before his passing on August 10 at the age of 41."

Martinez also leaves behind an eight year old son named Jonah.

The San Jose fire department will honor Capt. Martinez with a Class 1 funeral service in Fresno. Class 1 means it is considered a "Line of Duty Death."

SJFD Public Information Officer Captain Mary Gutierrez said that cancer is a presumptive disease for firefighters, adding in Capt. Martinez's case it is likely his job lead to his cancer.

The funeral will be held this Friday. A large contingent of San Jose firefighters will be making the trip in honor of a lost comrade.
 

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