LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Gloria Martines and her sons upon the
occasion of their designation by the St. Mark Parish Community as the
recipients of the Mary Ann Boland Memorial Award at its Annual Steward-
ship Recognition Dinner on February 13, 2010

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in New York State are greatly
enriched by the faithful and generous service of those who devote them-
selves to endeavors of family, faith, and community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend individuals of such magnanimous conduct and bearing who demon-
strate a deep and continuing concern for others, and in so doing,
inspire others to do the same; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
Gloria Martines and her sons, Frank, Michael, Robert, and Benjamin
Martines, upon the occasion of their designation by the St. Mark Parish
Community as the recipients of the Mary Ann Boland Memorial Award at its
Annual Stewardship Recognition Dinner, to be held at Brooklyn's
Gargiulo's Restaurant on Saturday, February 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Serving the Catholic faithful of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn,
St. Mark Parish is a community of long-standing repute and exemplary
accomplishment; at its Annual Stewardship Recognition Dinner, it proudly
recognizes those who exemplify its ideals and have helped to further its
mission; and
WHEREAS, St. Mark Church and the parish have held a special place in
Gloria Martines' heart for more than 50 years; as the most important
people in her world gather to celebrate the love and unity that define
the unique bond she created for her family with St. Mark Church, sharing
with her and her treasured sons, Frank, Michael, Robert, and Benjamin,
the high honor of being designated the recipients of the parish's 2010
Mary Ann Boland Memorial Award; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Martines, a humble and most gracious woman, is the
third child in a family of seven sisters and two brothers; her parents,
brothers, and sisters exemplify the classic first-generation Italian-Am-
erican household of the middle twentieth century - a home filled with
love, great food, a deep respect for family traditions, and strong ties
to and pride in their Catholic faith; and
WHEREAS, Gloria and Ben Martines, who passed away two years ago and is
greatly missed, were married at St. Edmund Church on September 24, 1950;
they were together for 57 years and Gloria devoted herself to making a
loving home for her husband and their four sons, Frank, Michael, Robert,
and Benjamin; and
WHEREAS, In 1950, Gloria and Ben also became actively involved parish-
ioners of St. Mark Church; Ben was a member of the Holy Name Society and
the Church Bowling League and coached all four of his sons' Pee Wee
Baseball teams; among her many contributions to the parish over the
years, Gloria has been a member of the Rosary Society for more than 40
years and served as its Secretary for eight years; and
WHEREAS, Michael, Frank, Robert, and Ben were all St. Mark altar boys;
all four are graduates of St. Mark Grammar School; they participated in
many parish-sponsored charity events as students and, after graduation,
returned for religious education classes as high school students; and
WHEREAS, Today, Frank, Robert, and Ben work together at Ridge Abstract
Corp., the title insurance company Frank Martines started almost thirty
years ago, and Michael is a writer; and
WHEREAS, They have blessed Gloria with four loving daughters-in-law
and ten grandchildren; as the much cherished matriarch of the Martines

family, all the family traditions and religious celebrations she was
introduced to as a little girl remain fresh and sacred in her forever
young heart and she takes great pride in joyously passing them on to
future generations; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to extend its highest commen-
dation to Gloria Martines and her sons for their dedication and service
to their community, faith and heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Gloria Martines and her sons upon the occasion of their desig-
nation by the St. Mark Parish Community as the recipients of the Mary
Ann Boland Memorial Award at its Annual Stewardship Recognition Dinner
on February 13, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gloria Martines and to each of her sons, Frank, Michael,
Robert, and Benjamin Martines.