Wilfredo Rosado Martir

Wilfredo Rosado Martir, age 77, passed away at St. Claire Regional Medical Center on April 17, 2020, after a heart attack.  He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Carla June Aagaard; his two children, Travis Martir and Elana Martir Samson [Darcy], both of Eugene, OR; and two grandchildren, Malina and Gabriel Martir.  Of his 15 siblings, 13 survive him:  sisters Elsa Martir, Louisa Martir Phillips, Lucy Martir Santos, Zoraida Rivera Picazo, Maribel Rivera Lopez, Esther Johnson, and Doris Gonzales; and brothers Frank Martir, Johnny Martir, William Martir, Isaac Martir, Al Ramos, Sr., and David Rivera.

Wil was born in Lares, Puerto Rico, on October 12, 1942, and grew up on a farm nearby. When Wil was 11, Wil’s mother, Carmen Ramona Rosado Martir, brought all the children to the United States.  Wil moved to Gary, Indiana, where he lived with his father, Ismael Soto Martir, who had left Puerto Rico earlier.  He was enrolled in 6^th grade, but repeated it again the next year because he was still learning English. Wil graduated high school from Indiana Adventist Academy, Cicero, IN, in 1963 and then attended college at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, for three semesters before being drafted into the U.S. Army.  In the army, Wil served as a medic at Fort Sam Houston, TX.  His unit was scheduled to be deployed to Vietnam three times, but each time the deployment was cancelled at the last minute.  During his two-year service, Wil received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal (1^st Award).  In 1968, he returned to college at Andrews University, graduating in 1971 with a B.A. double major in Behavioral Science and Spanish, with minors in History and Education and in 1974 with a Master’s degree in Education (emphasis in Guidance and Counseling).

Over the next 30 years, Wil worked variously as a Spanish teacher, principal, guidance counselor, and track coach in high schools in Michigan, Illinois, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as working in Migrant and Bilingual Education for three years at the Idaho State Department of Education.  While actively working during that time, Wil also took courses from the California Coast University in Santa Ana, CA, and earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration in 1984. 

In 2004, Wil and his wife, Carla (whom he married in 1996) planned a move to Morehead, KY, to be near Carla’s aging parents, Carl and Earla Aagaard.  Wil preceded Carla by six months, taking a temporary position as Spanish teacher at Pendleton County High School, in Falmouth, KY.  For the next several years, Wil continued to fill various teaching roles:  Spanish Lecturer at Morehead State University; long-term substitute Spanish teacher at Nelson County High School in Bardstown, KY; and general substitute teacher in the Rowan and Carter County Schools, where he became beloved by the youngest children and known (for no discernable reason) as “Mr. Pickle.”

Wil was a faithful member and Elder of the Morehead Seventh-day Adventist Church.  He took his turn in the pulpit in Morehead, and also preached in Maysville and Ashland from time to time.  He worked out regularly at the MSU Wellness Center, riding the stationary bike and chatting with the student workers.  His stories and jokes were appreciated by all who knew him.  He was a keen vegetable gardener, often eating the homegrown peas and tomatoes while still in the garden.  Wil had a soft heart for animals and became the “cat man” of his neighborhood, feeding up to 20-30 strays on his front and back porches and bringing up to six cats to live inside the house during the cold winter months.

Wil was very close to his large extended family.  He traveled to Oregon, Chicago, and Florida every year to visit them while his health allowed it.  He called his children often to check how they were doing.  When he was housebound by medical issues, he and the cats watched game shows and sports on TV.  

A memorial service will be held when COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings are lifted. In lieu of flowers, friends and relatives are invited to make donations in Wil’s name to any of the following:   Saint Claire Regional Medical Center, 222 Medical Circle, Morehead, KY  40351; Morehead Seventh-day Adventist Church, 927 E. Main St., Morehead, KY  40351; Hayes Crossing/Haldeman Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 67, Morehead, KY  40351; Morehead State University Soar to New Heights Scholarship Fund, Office of Alumni Relations & Development, 121 East Second St., Suite 107, Morehead, KY 40351.

Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, 400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351 is caring for arrangements.

Sign guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com 

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