BERNARDINO “BENNY” VASQUEZ MARTINEZ
Sept. 14, 1939 - Nov. 3, 2017
Bernardino “Benny” Vasquez Martinez passed away on November 3, 2017 after fighting cancer for a year.
Bernardino, known to everyone as Benny, was the fourth of six children, born on September 14, 1939 in Brawley, California, to Ramon and Rafaela Martinez. The Martinez family moved to Mexicali, Baja California in 1943 and famed in the elijido Tehuantepec. Benny and his siblings worked on the family farm while attending school. As a teenager, Benny worked in the seasonal crops in Fresno, California during his summer vacations. Benny married Hilda Ochoa on February 25, 1962 in Yuma, Arizona and made Brawley their home. Benny worked for Jack Murphy Farms, as a foreman for Luckey Farms, Williams and Williams Hay Contracting and Nakasawa Farms. Benny enjoyed playing baseball, gardening, being with friends, family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ramon Martinez and Rafaela Martinez; brothers, Ramon Martinez and Rafael Martinez and sister, Mary Martinez Gloria.
Bernardino is survived by his wife, Hilda Martinez; children, Nidia Marquez of Brawley, Hector (Susan) Martinez of Brawley, Tanya (Paul) Herrera of Brawley and Monica (Johnny) Hurtado of Calipatria; 10 grandchildren, Jeanette (Alex) Torrez of Brawley, Mellisa Cazares of Brawley, Ryan (Krishna) Marquez of Brawley, Benny (Anita) Martinez of Brawley, Matthew Self of Brawley, Briana Martinez of Brawley, Todd Marquez of Brawley, Jonathan Hurtado of Calipatria, Jerrek Hurtado of Calipatria and Daniel (Stephanie) Martinez of San Antonio, Texas; 19 great-grandchildren; sister, Raquel Martinez Luis of Corona, California; brother, Rodolfo (Luisa) Martinez of Mexicali, Baja California; sisters-in-law, Delfina Martinez of Hollister, California and Francisca Martinez of Calexico, California; several nieces and nephews.
Mass will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Brawley at 10 a.m. with Rosary being said at 9 a.m. and will be officiated by Father Manuel Gutierrez. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.