Vicente M. Martinez

Vicente Montaner Martinez, 75, of Taos, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2016, after a 20-year battle with emphysema. Vicente was born in Taos, to the late Arturo and Teodora Martinez y Salazar. He attended school in Taos and, after tending to the family bar, the Fernandez de Taos Tavern on Taos plaza for a couple of years, he joined the Air Force in 1961, eventually serving in both Japan and Korea. Upon his return, he began studying sociology and New Mexican folklore at UNM, taking a break from his studies in the late ‘60s to organize migrant farmworkers in Colorado. This experience set his life on a different course, leading to a myriad of jobs in the non-profit world and local government. A direct descendant of Padre Martinez through his mother, he grew up near Taos plaza in the Padre Martinez home. His rich family heritage inspired him to become a scholar of Northern New Mexican culture, history, and genealogy. He was also a professional photographer and historian of Hispanic Art. Vicente is survived by his son Antonio José Martínez, daughter-in-law Ivonne Rivera-Martínez, granddaughter Aurora del Carmen Martínez, sister Cecelia Torres, and numerous other relatives and close friends.A Rosary was held on March 3, 2016. Funeral mass was held on March 4, 2016. Both services were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe church. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the Millicent Rogers Museum, P.O. Box 1210, Taos. NM 87571 where Vicente worked as a curator , or they can be sent to the Verde Valley School where he served as a trustee. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.This obituary is protected by copyright laws, unauthorized use or duplication is prohibited.