The Red Volkswagen Beetle and A Lifetime of Impact
Reflecting on 82 years of Jose H. Martins.
Hailing from Angra do Heroísmo, Mr. Martins continues to make a difference. Photograph by Tatiana Correia
By Gavin Szilvasi Photographs: Tatiana Correia
Published Dec. 5, 2025
Driving down the Garden State Parkway to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, all I wanted to do was spend hours at the Jenkinson’s Arcade with my grandfather, who I call “Avo”.
As soon as we got our beach chairs and umbrella set up, we would get approval from my mom to go to the arcade. And, like two kids that just saw a candy shop, we would run up the steps, on to the boardwalk, and into the dingy arcade that smelled like sand, cigarettes, and ice cream.
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We would spend hours at the big wheel, feeding dollar after dollar into the machine. With every spin, our hearts lifted a little, hoping - always hoping - to hit the 1,000 ticket jackpot. We never did.
Photograph by Tatiana Correia
At the end of every summer, we would sit in the arcade and count every single ticket that we earned. One by one.
I can vividly remember one summer finally having enough tickets to trade for something big. Instead of a stuffed animal, I chose to get my grandfather a red, mini Volkswagen Beetle, which still sits proudly in his at-home bar with a cutout picture of my face in the drivers’ seat and a cut out picture of him in the passenger seat.
I did not realize it then, but those beach days spent in the arcade were lessons in unconditional love, sacrifice, and life.
My Avo never once complained about the money that we were “wasting” on the arcade games (he totally would have spent more if my mom had not put a limit on him). To him, the jackpot was not about hitting the 1000 tickets - it was simply spending time with his only grandchild. Just me and him, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Photograph by Tatiana Correia
My grandfather is the embodiment of what it means to live the American Dream.
Growing up poor in the city of Angra on the island of Terceira, Azores, his beginnings were not easy. Nothing was handed to him. Everything was earned.
Working countless jobs, studying in Lisbon, and supporting himself, he always dreamt of more. Meeting my grandmother was that “more” for him. Their love story was one built on the values of faith, sacrifice, and belief in one another because they did not have much else. Having each other, their family, and their faith were all they needed.
Coming to America was not easy. But it was well worth it.
He worked countless jobs in factories, never once complaining even though the exhaustion showed through his eyes and hands. Because that is the kind of person he is.
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Raising my mom was his “why”.
She was and still is his pride and joy. To him, giving her an amazing upbringing was all that was important. Every overtime shift, dollar saved, and long day at work was for her - so that she did not have to carry the same burden that he did. He gave her opportunity.
Today, my mom - the little girl that he once carried on his shoulders after long shifts at the factory - has built an absolutely exceptional career, leading with the same values that he embodies every single day.
And then came me…his shadow, his confidant, his best friend. My childhood was spent with him every day going on car rides to the neighborhood bodega, watering his hydrangeas in the backyard, and filling up our FIFA sticker book every World Cup.
My Avo is someone who does not get a lot of recognition for his impact. He does not seek it. He never has. And he never will.
Photograph by Tatiana Correia
His life has been defined by showing up, working hard, and never complaining. But, the impact that he has had on me, my mom, and everyone who knows him is immeasurable.
His work continues even as he turns 82 years old. Through every scholarship that The Tia Maria Foundation grants, we honor the values that not only my great-grandmother embodied, but also my grandfather. From being involved in the scholarship selection process, working on sponsorship deals, meeting with different organizations, and so much more, his attention is now on making sure that no student has to decide between money and their education.
As my Avo turns 82, I am reminded that life is not about what we own, but what we give and what impact we make.
The red Volkswagen Beetle still sits in his bar, our two faces smiling from the front seats. It reminds me of all the adventures we have shared and the ones still waiting for us.
Happy 82nd birthday Avo.
Special thanks to photographer Tatiana Correia and t.tagraphy for the amazing photos for this editorial.
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