Alfonso Andres Martinez

August 23rd, 1929 - June 15th, 2017

Biography

Alfonso Andres Martinez, age 87 passed away peacefully in Grants, NM on June 15, 2017. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Alfonso was born August 23, 1929 in Mora, NM to Don Benjamin and Maclovia Martinez. He was the third of twelve children. Preceding him in death are his two older siblings, George and Margaret. Also preceding him is death is his beloved grandson, Joseph Henry Taylor.

Alfonso grew up during the Great Depression in the Northern New Mexico town of Mora. After high school, he formally asked to be married to the lovely Catalina Anita Tafoya of Ledoux, NM. They began a family and soon, Alfonso was called to serve in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Upon his discharge he used the well earned GI Bill to attend NM Highlands University and earned his BA in Industrial Arts. Immediately seeking job opportunities from Las Vegas, NM to Rawlings and Casper, WO, Alfonso and Katie and their five children found a teaching position in Grants, NM as an industrial arts shop teacher with Grants Municipal Schools. Other endeavors while in Grants was his ownership of a Phillip 66 gas station, security services at the Anaconda Uranium Mines and providing a variety of private skilled trades service. Five more children were added and thereafter retiring from teaching after 34 years.

He loved, hunting, fishing, history, politics, woodwork, pencil sketching, daily crossword puzzles, WWF, occasional casino visits, his pets, Lucky and Dulce, his Roman Catholic faith and most of all his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Catalina Anita Tafoya-Martinez, children, James Alfonso Martinez, Tesuque, NM; Doris Ann Rowley-Martinez, Grants, NM; Barbara Joan (Terry) Gallagher, San Diego, CA; Donna Marie Martinez, Santa Fe, NM: Robert Harold, Kathrine Maxine, Patrick John and Thomas Louis Martinez all of Grants, NM, Audrey Gail Martinez and Valerie Lee Martinez both of Albuquerque, NM. Sisters, Rose Marsh, San Antonio, TX; Ernestine (Charlie) Garcia, Jane Espinoza and brother David Martinez, Cheyenne, WO; brothers, Margarito Martinez, Miami, FL, Daniel and Samuel Martinez, Mora, NM; and sisters, Gloria Cassidy, Grants, NM and Frances Goodrich, San Diego, CA. Also survived by grandchildren, great grand children and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2017 beginning at 4PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Grants, NM followed by a Rosary at 7PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, 9AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, followed by a reception. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery that afternoon at 3PM. Serving as pallbearers will be, Daniel Mandagaran, Adam Martin, Michael Sylvester, Matthew Sylvester, Beau Taylor and Bobby Martinez. Honorary pallbearers are Claire Jacquez, Anriette Mandagaran and Kevin Martinez,

	About
	Name	Alfonso Andres Martinez
	Date of Birth	August 23rd, 1929
	Date of Death	June 15th, 2017

	Memorial

	Funeral Home	Rivera Family Funeral Home - Española
	Cemetery	Santa Fe National Cemetery
	Address	501 North Guadalupe Street Santa Fe NM 87501 United States
	Location	Section 1 Grave 1

	Family
	Siblings	Samuel Gilberto Martinez
	Parents	Don Benjamin Martinez Y Cordova, Maclovia Martinez Y Naranjo
	Children	Donna Martinez, James Martinez

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Tributes

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Donald Gallegos published a tribute .

Jim and family, my deepest heartfelt condolences on the passing your beloved Alfonso. May he rest peacefully in the arms of our Lord. May God support and comfort you and give you peace. God bless you always


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[email protected] published a tribute .

I am going to miss a fishing buddy and father-in-law who always had a story or two to tell.He showed me some beautiful fishing spots around Grants that won"t be the same now. He always welcomed me to his home and made me feel at home,, always had a pot of coffee on or I"d make one . I especially enjoyed late summer and fall when we got to enjoy the goodies from his garden (especially his hot chilies ) . There is so much more that made up Alfonso Martinez,, I'm going to miss my friend WP


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Donna Degiusti published a tribute .

I am very sorry and sad for your loss. I loved reading about Mr. Martinez's interesting life, and I know what a great person he must have been because he raised a wonderful daughter in Kathy. I feel blessed to know Kathy and I'm keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers. What a beautiful life Mr. Martinez had and a wonderful legacy he leaves behind. God bless the Martinez family now and in the days to come, Donna DeGiusti


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John & Fai published a tribute .

Mr. Jim Martinez & Family, we would like to express our condolences for your loss. May God be with you and your family,
John & Fabi Lucero


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Richard Stewart published a tribute .

Dear Martinez family, we have always had the highest regard for the Rivera family Funeral Home and the Martinez family. Please accept our tender regards and condolences for your loss. May God be with you as you honor Mr Martinez, commit him to the Lord and remember him fondly in the days to come. Richard Stewart


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Amanda Valenzuela published a tribute .

On behalf of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the entire Martinez family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.


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Patricia Trujillo published a tribute .

Kathy and the Martinez family, I am so sorry for you loss, you know that he is now with the Heavenly Father. God Bless you all today, tomorrow and always. Patricia Trujillo


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#6 published a tribute .

To my Amazing Father on Father's Day
I'm grateful for your life-- the care you've expressed, the encouragement you've given, the wisdom you've shared.
I appreciate your faith-- your dependence on God, your assurance of His promises.
I am blessed by your example--your commitment to God, your willingness to accept, your desire to honor Him.
Today, I am thanking the Lord in a special way for all that your life means to me.
I am certain you had a Happy Father's Day in heaven and I will hold in my heart for all my days, I love you immensely!

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. PHILIPPIANS 1:3


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Frances published a tribute .

May my beloved brother AL rest in peace. He has been called to join Our Heavenly Father in heaven. May God bless our beautiful Katie and all their children.