Cover photo for Francisco "Frank" Martinez's Obituary
Francisco

Francisco "Frank" Martinez

d. January 30, 2021

FRANCISCO “FRANK” MARTINEZ a resident of Santa Cruz, left this earth to join our Lord in Heaven on Saturday, January 30, 2021.  Frank was born in Santa Fe, on July 16, 1940 and was a loving companion, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and man of God.  Frank’s Catholic faith ran deep, and he will be remembered as someone who always rejoiced and praised God for his countless blessings.  Even on his worst day, he found blessings and gave thanks to God. He was a proud member of Iglesia de Santa Cruz de la Cañada.

Family members who preceded him in death and lovingly welcomed him into Heaven, include his parents, Miguel Martinez and Rufina Ortiz; his beloved wife of 34 years, Louisa Archuleta; beloved son, Donald Martinez; brother, Filiberto “Sonny” Martinez; two infant brothers; sister, Mercedes Rael; parents-in-law, Jose and Rosa Archuleta; brothers-in-law, Donaldo Archuleta, Cipriano Archuleta and Ben Rael; sister-in-law, Irene Martinez and godson, Stanley Martinez.

Frank was proud to be a Santa Cruz Crusader graduate.  He played basketball in high school and enjoyed watching his children play school sports.  Frank and Louisa were avid members of the McCurdy Booster Club and was fondly known in the McCurdy community as “Papa Frank”.

Frank was a carpenter by trade and loved working with his hands. He worked for Los Alamos County for 30 years. Many of the structures he built are still standing and in use all over Los Alamos.  While working for the county, his CB handle was “El Negro” and he continued to use this nickname even after his retirement.  He helped many neighbors, friends, and family members build homes, garages, and make home improvements.  After his retirement from the county, Frank gladly watched many of his grandchildren as toddlers, before and after school, and loved taxiing them around wherever they needed to go.  Frank was also the neighborhood barber giving many children their first haircut and continuing until his sight would not let him anymore.  At that point, he taught his son, Derwin how to cut hair and Derwin returned the favor by cutting Frank’s hair until his passing.

Frank is survived by his children, Ken, Luana (Donald), Derwin (Angeline) and daughter-in-law, Bryanna; his grandchildren, Joshua, Eric, Jacinda (Ry) Parker, Carmela (Johanna) Miller-Martinez, Kassandra (Luis), Isaac (Camille), Nicholas (Analisa) and Sam; his great-grandchildren, Jackson Miller-Martinez, Carmen Miller-Martinez, Aaliyah Parker, Camden Parker, and Theodore Valles; his companion of 25 years, Lita Frampton, and her children Brenda (Tony) Vigil, Randy (Stephanie) Maestas, Lenny (Michelle)Maestas, and her grandchildren, Aaron Ortega, Carlos Ortega, David Ortega, Antonio Vigil, Alex Vigil, Alejandro Maestas, and Marina Maestas; his brothers and sisters, Fabiola (Nelson) Cournoyer, Jerome (Mel) Martinez, Mary Estrada, Louis (Molly) Martinez, Rudy (Carmen) Martinez, Michael (Sandra) Martinez; brother-in-law, Clarence Martinez; sisters-in-law, Mary Martha Sanchez-Archuleta, Patricia Martinez, Vicenta (Leo) Martinez and Martha Archuleta; God children, Pamela Archuleta, Geraldine Martinez, Donna Martinez, Matias Martinez, and Eric Martinez and numerous nieces and nephews and other family members. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private for immediate family only. Serving Frank as pallbearers will be his grandchildren and honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandchildren.

The family of Francisco “Frank” Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francisco "Frank" Martinez, please visit our flower store.

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