Sr. Martinho Pereira was born on September 9, 1948 in Paredes do Barrio, Anadia, Portugal. He moved to this country in 1973 and in that same year he married his wife Maria T. Pereira. Together they have two daughters: Michelle Grelicha and Diane Barbosa.
Sr. Martinho moved to Elizabeth in 1986 where he immediately became active in the Portuguese community. He knew this was the place he wanted to spend the rest of his life because of how the people in the Portuguese community were very family oriented and proud.
Sr. Martinho purchased Valenca Bar in 1989 as a partnership then became sole owner in 1991. He has been an active member of the Portuguese Instructive Social Club since 1984. Throughout the years he has held several positions, such as, Vice President to the Conselho Fiscal for 2 years and President for another 2 years. He has been an active member of the Elizabeth Portuguese Lions Club and an avid parishioner of our Lady of Fatima Church for many years. Sr. Martinho currently serves as a member of the Conselho Fiscal at the church.
While many times we say business owners are involved in community because it helps bring more business, everyone knows Sr. Martinho is the exception. He is a man who goes above and beyond to the help the community, especially the Portuguese community. Sr. Martinho is always giving donations and offering to help feed the poor. He has never asked for recognition and most of the time he does not want people to know he is offering anything. Sr. Martinho feels it’s his responsibility to help our community whenever necessary and do his part in moving us forward. He is someone who continuously puts others before himself.
When it comes to the two pillars in our community, the Portuguese Club and our Lady of Fatima Church, Sr. Martinho has never been too busy to help. Sr. Martinho does not only help monetarily, he is always ready to get his hands dirty to help. He is a man who truly embodies the qualities of a true Portuguese man: hard working, family and community oriented, always willing to give back, making sure our community is well respected, down to earth, and most importantly, someone who never forgets where he came from.
Sr. Martinho is not someone who wants to be in the spotlight, instead he is someone who stays humble and kind without expecting any type of recognition for what he has done and continues to do for our community.
In closing, as you have heard Sr. Martinho is more than a business owner he is one of the strongest leaders in the Portuguese community here in the City of Elizabeth. Sr. Martinho Pereira is respected by many and he is someone who is truly fitting to the title of GRAND MARSHAL OF THE ELIZABETH PORTUGAL DAY PARADE 2017.