Jose E. Martinez

                                                           Jose E. Martinez

Jose E. Martinez “Pappy” of Cuyamungue, NM passed away peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Tuesday, January 10, 2023; one day shy of his 92nd birthday.  Jose was born on January 11, 1931 in Pecos, NM to Maria Atocha and Jose S. Martinez.  He was raised in Bakersfield, CA by his “Nino” and “Nina” Antonio and Manuelita Ortega, all with whom preceded him in death; as well as his siblings, Rose Hayes, Cipriano Martinez, and Bertha Martinez.

Jose joined the U.S. Air Force and worked his way up to the rank of a Staff Sargent. After serving in the Air Force he returned to Cuyamungue as he often said, “Where his heart always was,” and began creating a family with his wife and a career as an educator.  Jose received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Saint Michael’s College and a Masters of Arts Degree from Highlands University.  He worked as an educator at St. Michael’s High School (boys’ school), Santo Domingo Elementary School, and concluded his career at Pojoaque High School.  While working for the Pojoaque Valley Schools, Jose was a Jr. High School basketball and track coach.  He concluded his coaching career as coach of the Junior Varsity Basketball Team.  Jose was a dedicated parishioner of the Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque.  He was a previous Vice-president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Church Usher, and Church Librarian.  Jose was an avid gardener and was well known in the Pojoaque area for producing delicious tasting chili and having some of the finest ristras in the valley. He loved to fish the rivers and lakes in Northern NM, especially the Pecos River with his dearest friend whom he “loved” like a brother, Carlos Ortiz.  Jose was an avid football fan of USC and the 49ers and enjoyed watching college football on weekends.  Jose and his wife enjoyed traveling both near and far in the United States and overseas.  They especially enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren spread out from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Jose is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elvira and his 5 children; Carmen (Kenneth) Kallberg, Juliet (Joe) Spacagna, Dennis (Angela) Martinez, Walter (Julie) Martinez, and Grace (Lawrence Gonzales) Catanach. He is survived by his 7 grandchildren; April, Christina, Jeremy, Michael, Clarice, Justin, Sean; and 4 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Helen Roybal and many nieces and nephews. 

The family of Jose would like to thank the many caregivers of Home Instead who took care of him in his final years.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of our Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque.

Services will be held on Thursday, January 26th at the Nuestra de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque.  Rosary to be held at 9:00 a.m.; mass at 10:00 a.m. with the burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.