Obituary of Cira Ann Martinez

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved Cira, whose vibrant spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. With a smile bigger than her enormous heart, Cira was truly one of a kind and will never be forgotten.

Cira Ann Petino was born on June 23, 1969 in Brooklyn, NY to Peter and MaryAnn Petino.  Already a cancer survivor, she was faced with a new cancer diagnosis earlier this year; she fought fiercely and heroically before taking rest on November 17, 2025 at 56 years old.

Growing up the youngest of four children and the only girl certainly toughened Cira up but she was always a lady. She graduated from Tottenville High School and began her professional career at the Bank of New York in Manhattan. Eventually she pivoted from banking to construction management and then worked her way up to site project manager. Cira brought her professionalism, sense of humor and kindness to major projects involving The United Nations, The Staten Island Ferry and LaGuardia Airport. The male dominated construction industry was no match for the force that was Cira. If you knew her, you know she could not be pushed around by anyone.

Cira’s young adulthood was filled with love of family, deep and lasting friendships, and riotous laughter. In 2001, her son Christopher was born and fulfilled her dream of being a mom. And what a mom she was – Cira loved Chris fiercely, and she truly would have moved heaven and earth for him. Through family tragedies and personal losses, including the deaths of her parents and of Christopher’s father Joseph Miniaci, she never wavered from her determination to give her son the world.

In 2009, Cira met George Martinez, whom she later married. Cira welcomed his children George Jr. and Rebecca, and later, Rebecca’s daughter Emma, into the family with open arms and an open heart. George and Cira were the yin to each other’s yang and loved to laugh and enjoy life together. Her family will forever be grateful for the devotion and loving selflessness he showed as he helped her battle her cruel disease.

Cira was especially close to her Aunty Kathy, with whom she shared a unique bond of generosity – they both served as living organ donors to Cira’s mother (and Kathy’s sister) MaryAnn, who suffered from kidney disease.

Cira excelled at bringing people together to celebrate the joy of life and would truly feed an army at every gathering. Friends became family when they entered her world. Her legacy is one of love, laughter, and unwavering strength.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son Christopher Miniaci, her husband George Martinez ; brothers, Vincent (Susan), Michael (Crissy) and Peter (Rosemarie); bonus children George Jr. and Rebecca, and granddaughter Emma; aunt Kathy Pignatelli; lifelong friend Roseanne (John) Wilson; and cousins Cira Petino, Richard (Erin) Pignatelli and children Julia and Richie, and Michelle (Travis) Jondal. Cira also leaves behind nieces Christina (Jon) Rosado, Ashley Petino, Jess Petino; nephews Peter Petino and Michael Petino; great nieces Alexis Bustamonte and Gabriella Rosado; lifelong friend Roseanne (John) Wilson; step mother Annie Petino and step brother Anthony; and innumerable other friends and family members touched by her life.

Cira, your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, and you will be forever in our shattered hearts.