Beloved foreign language teacher in the Bronx dies suddenly

Dr. Pablo Martinez died unexpectedly last week at his Brooklyn apartment. He was 37.

News 12 Staff

May 1, 2021, 2:44 PM

Updated 1,315 days ago

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Riverdale Country School in the Bronx is mourning the sudden passing of a beloved teacher and coach.
Dr. Pablo Martinez died unexpectedly last week at his Brooklyn apartment. He was 37.
A cause of death has not been released.
Dr. Martinez taught French and Spanish, and coached tennis and fencing. His students and family remember him as an advocate for LGBTQI and immigrant rights, stopping Asian hate, and a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
"The best thing I could ask of people is if they see injustice happening, if they see people being homophobic or racist or anything, speak up and do something about it. Make change, just like we wanted," said Brenda Thompson, Martinez' sister.
“He just kept on going, he never gave up and that's mainly what we want everyone to know, and probably what he would also want everyone to do is never give up," said Martinez' aunt, Yasmin Cartagena.
Services for Martinez will be held Saturday in Maryland.