Martinez, Alfonso Andres
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 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 Martinez, Tesque, NM; Doris Rowley-Martinez, Grants, NM; Joan (Terry) Gallagher, San Diego, CA; Donna Martinez, Santa Fe, NM: Robert, Kathy, Patrick and Louie Martinez all of Grants, NM, Audrey Martinez (Willie Pacheco) and Valerie Martinez all 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.
The family of Alfonso A. Martinez has entrusted the care of Mr. Martinez to the Rivera Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 305 Calle Salazar, Espanola, NM 87532. (505)753-2288 www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com. Please visit our website to express your condolences or share a story about Alfonso Martinez