Edward's Story

Edward Emilio Martins was an esteemed attorney who practiced law in Hayward for over 70 years. Following his admission to the bar in 1953, Edward built a distinguished career, which included being admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1958. He passed away on September 11, 2025, at the age of 97, leaving behind a profound legacy of philanthropy centered on cancer research, literacy, and education.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Edward was born to Portuguese parents from the Martins and Agrella families. His academic journey was marked by early success: he graduated from Patterson High School at just 16, earned a B.S. in Business Administration from UC Berkeley in 1949, and received both his Bachelor of Law and Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of San Francisco in 1952.

As the longest-surviving trustee of Chabot College, Edward played a pivotal role in the construction of the Hayward campus. In 1970, he and his wife established the Donna L. and Edward E. Martins Foundation, which continues its charitable mission today. Deeply committed to his roots, Edward created a family scholarship for the descendants of the Martins and Agrella lines. He took great pride in supporting family members he deemed "A" players—those who met his exacting standards for academic excellence and character.

Edward believed in rewarding hard-working students who have the potential to make a positive impact on their communities and the world. This scholarship reflects his commitment to education and his vision of supporting the next generation of leaders and changemakers.

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