Ricardo S. Martinez

Ricardo S. Martinez, 81 of Espanola, NM. died peacefully on Monday May 10, 2010. His family was near his side as he passed on to join his heavenly father. He was born in Chimayo and was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in 4th Army during the Korean war, receiving the Korean Service Medal with 2-Bronze Stars. He began work at age 13 on the railroad in Colorado, at age 14 in the Richmond Shipyards in California and in restaurants, hotels and fruit farms. He also worked as a commercial fisherman out of the San Pedro Harbor in California, as an inventory clerk for The Zia Company in Los Alamos as well as various other jobs. He was one of the first college graduates in his family and was driven to excel in higher education, graduating high school in Santa Cruz, attended St. Michaels College, Highlands University, Adams State College, The University of New Mexico, Rosary College in Illinois, Reed College in Oregon and Western Montana University. He was a dedicated teacher and part time coach at The San Juan Parochial School, and continued teaching expertise at Velarde Elementary School, Los Alamos High School, Dulce Consolidated Schools, Espanola Jr. High School, Santa Cruz High School and Espanola Valley High School, and worked as a summer school principal. As a school counselor he strived and was successful at putting the students best interests first. He traveled to nearly every continent in the world and all 50 states in the continental United States, in addition to sharpening his skills as an outdoorsman, hunter, and fun-loving prankster. Together with his first wife, Corrine, he appreciated higher education and constantly encouraged his children to maximize their own potential and capabilities. Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his parents Epitacio and Manuelita DeAguero, former wife Corrine Martinez, brothers Silviano, Eliseo and Rubel Martinez, sisters Eliza and Fedelina Martinez, Bertila DeAguero, son-in-law Ron Valdez, and great-grandson Thomas E. Gutierrez, Jr. He is survived by his dear wife Deanna Martinez, children Rosanna Martinez of Santa Fe, Selerina and Guillermo Espinoza of Chimayo, Charlotte Smith of Boulder City, NV. Gloria Valdez of Glorietta, Sandra Chavez and husband Robert of Santa Fe, Marvin D. Martinez and Jackie Cooper of Cedar Crest, Richard L. Martinez and wife Kathleen of Tucson, AZ., Emmanuel G. Martinez and wife Yvette of Velarde, grandchildren: Trisha, Ronnie and Paige Valdez, Jaclyn and Leandra Chavez, and Alana and Amanda Martinez, and great grandchildren Ariana Valdez and Payton Chavez, special friend Alice Sanchez of Chamita and numerous nephews & nieces and other relatives in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Indiana. Public visitation will be held on Thursday May 13th from 5-7 p.m. in the chapel of Rivera Family Funeral Home in Espanola with the recitation of the rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. The mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at La Iglesia De Santa Cruz De La Canada at 11:00am. The committal service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at The Santa Fe National Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers named are: Donald, Casey, Steve and Dennis Martinez and Audoro and Emmanuel Espinoza. Rivera Family Funeral Homes of Espanola 753-2288, toll free (800)443-4854 www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com