Brian Keith Martinez was born November 5, 1975, in Queens, New York, to Fernando and Valerie (Ford) Martinez. Brian grew up in the Gaithersburg-Germantown, Maryland area, graduating from Quince Orchard High School in June 1993. In November 1993, Brian entered the United States Navy, serving on the U.S.S. George Washington. He was released from active duty on September 20, 2001, and officially discharged from the Naval Reserves on September 1, 2018. For his service, he was the recipient of the National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd), South-West Asia Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Service Medal (2nd), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal and Navy Unit Commendation, and Battle “E” Ribbon.

Brian married Theresa Daniels on April 11, 1998, and they moved to Mont Alto, Pennsylvania, in June 2008.

Brian was employed by Comcast Corporation in Frederick, Maryland, for 21 years, first as a cable technician and later as the fiber manager for Metro E. Brian was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the Washington Redskins, so much so that he went to the Football Hall of Fame with his best friend Jeremy for several years. Brian enjoyed giving back to the community by running the concession trailer for the Waynesboro Stallions Football Team.

Brian joined the Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Department in 2014 as a volunteer firefighter and rescue technician. He took his duties as a volunteer firefighter very seriously by attending many training courses the department offered. During his tenure with MAVFD, he served as a trustee, sergeant, and lieutenant. On November 23, 2021, he discovered his neighbor’s house on fire. He called 911 and without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he entered the burning building to make sure no one was inside. He became ill two days later and entered the hospital on November 29, 2021. He fought hard to get better and came home to spend what turned out to be his last Christmas with his family. Brian ultimately succumbed to complications of COVID-19 and passed away at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Brian loved his family deeply and enjoyed spending time with them. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 23 years, Theresa Daniels Martinez; his five children, Tina, Teri, Taylor, Trinity, and Andrew; sister, Melisa (Bryan); brother, Stuart Andrew (Martha); nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and firehouse family. Brian’s memory will live on in those who knew and loved him.