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San Jose Fire Captain Dies From Rare Form Of Cancer At 41

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A 41-year-old San Jose fire Captain died of a rare form of cancer on Friday after nearly 11 years with the department.

Capt. Jose Martinez had been diagnosed with a rare cancer called Synovial Sarcoma on June 19 of this year after being hospitalized on June 6, the fire department said.

Originally from Tulare, California, Martinez began serving as a firefighter in 1997 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he worked as a seasonal firefighter and engineer, the fire department said.

Martinez also possessed a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and Community Health from California State University, Fresno, from which he graduated in 1995, the fire department said.

Martinez has served with San Jose fire engines 5, 26, 35 and 12.

Martinez is survived by his wife Melissa, his 8-year-old son Jonah Miguel, and his newborn twin daughters, Sophia Maria and Olivia Eleanor.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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