Ricardo Lela Martins, 85 years and 4 months, of Coconut Creek, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, Missouri.
Ricardo was born on June 2, 1941, in Lisbon, Portugal, to Daniel and Maria do Céu (Lela) Martins.
On January 20, 1962, Ricardo married Maria “Milai” Adelaide Guerra in Nova Lisboa, Angola, then a Portuguese territory. Together, they shared more than 64 years of marriage and were blessed with two sons, António Júlio “Toninho” Martins and Ricardo Daniel “Ricardinho” Martins.
Ricardo began his career in Angola, where he worked for Rádio Clube do Huambo, Tecnambo, and Caminho de Ferro de Benguela.
In September 1975, Ricardo and his family left Angola for Portugal, where they lived for approximately one year. In October 1976, they immigrated to the United States, beginning a new chapter in their lives and making their home in Broward County, Florida.
Ricardo began his career with Motorola, Inc., Latin American Division, in October 1976 and remained with the company for more than 28 years, retiring in October 2004.
Ricardo is survived by his beloved wife, Maria “Milai” Martins; his son, António Júlio “Tony” Martins, and his wife, Christine Elizabeth “Beth” Martins; his son, Ricardo Daniel Martins, and his partner, Jodi Shaw; his grandson, Joshua Alexander, and his wife, Belinda Rose Mary; his granddaughter, Janice Nikole, and her husband, Derek James Andrascik; his great-grandchildren, Atlas “Dexon” Ackerman, Delphine Antonia Martins, and Sterling Elijah Martins; his sister, Leonilde Esperança Martins; extended family in Portugal and Brazil; and many dear friends.
His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ricardo’s memory to The Portuguese American Cultural Society of Palm Beach County, 13265 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470.
Cremation services for Ricardo are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava, Missouri. Interment of his cremated remains will take place at Mount Tabor Cemetery in Ava, Missouri.
Family and friends are warmly invited to share their condolences, cherished memories, stories, and photographs of Ricardo through the guestbook at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home. These loving tributes will help preserve the memories of a life well lived and bring comfort to his family in the days ahead.
