The Chancellor’s Office was saddened to learn of the passing of Reverend Rafael Eduardo Martos Nimer, 64, Administrator of San Juan Diego Mission, Dover, on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Advent Health Hospital, Tampa, following a months-long battle with cancer.

Father Martos was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba on September 12, 1996. After serving his home diocese for four years, he learned of the need for Spanish-speaking priests in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and arrived here in 2000, where he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin (2000-2005). This was followed by appointments as Parochial Vicar of St. Rita Parish, Dade City (2005-2008), and St. Clement Parish, Plant City (2008-2013). In 2013, he was assigned as Chaplain to the Migrant Apostolate in the Dover area of east Hillsborough County, while providing assistance to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner.

In 2018, Father Martos returned to St. Clement Parish, where he was once again assigned as Parochial Vicar, with pastoral and administrative oversight of the migrant community within the parish boundaries. Several years earlier, the community had adopted the name “San Juan Diego Mission.” On July 1, 2023, Bishop Parkes formally established San Juan Diego Mission as a mission of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and officially appointed Father Martos as its first Administrator. Today, weekend attendance at Masses at the Mission typically averages between 1,000 and 1,200.

In addition to his ministry in parishes and his leadership to the Mission, during his years in our diocese, Father Martos also served as chaplain of the following ministries: Dialogo Matrimonio MDS, Movimiento Parroquial Juan XXIII, and the Spanish-speaking Cursillo movement.

Father Martos was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Martha (Nimer) Martos. Surviving family members include Father Martos’ brothers, Ramon, Manuel, and Carlos, along with surviving cousins, nieces, nephews, and many extended family members.

During a recent hospitalization, and fully aware of his rapidly declining health, Father Martos requested that Bishop Parkes receive him as an incardinated priest of our diocese. On Thursday, August 15, 2024, he was effectively incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, exactly one week after his 64th birthday and one day before his passing into eternal life.

All funeral arrangements will take place at San Juan Diego Mission (Catholic Charities’ San Jose Mission building), 3238 San Jose Mission Drive, Dover and are as follows:

• Visitation:  Friday, August 30, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 31st, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Funeral Mass:  Saturday, August 31, 2024, 12:00 p.m.  Bishop Gregory Parkes will preside.
• Burial to follow at Shiloh Cemetery, 378 E. Terrace Drive, Plant City.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family of Rev. Rafael E. Martos, c/o San Juan Diego Mission, at the above address.

Please keep Father Martos’ family members, loved ones, and members of San Juan Diego Mission in your kind thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of their brother, uncle, friend, and dear priest.

Obituary pdf here.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace!