Johnnie Martinez

JOHNNIE S. MARTINEZ, 87, a resident of Velarde, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.  He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Bonnie, who passed away on the very same date in 2015; his parents, Rudolfo and Maria Martinez; his granddaughter, Tonya; and several brothers and sisters. Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife, Ella, with whom he shared a deep love and formed an inseparable partnership for 69 years; his sons, Johnnie (Robin) and Larry (Peggy); grandchildren, Melissa, Lisa (Thomas), Laura (Stacy), Joey (Hannah), Alexander, and Rachel; and great-grandchildren Victoria, Skyler, Vidal, Michaela, Jacob, Amelia, “special buddy” Jason, and Vicente. Johnnie was known to many in Northern New Mexico as “El Panadero” (the bread man) for having worked as a wholesaler of bread products for 60 years until his retirement at the age of 82. At the height of its operations, the Martinez Distributing Co. served the needs of retail stores and restaurants in an area encompassed by Cuba, Chama, Taos, Peñasco, Truchas, and Española. He was an active member of the Velarde United Methodist Church, where he and Ella have served in a variety of leadership roles. His remains will be cremated, and a private memorial service is being planned by the family. The family of Johnnie S. Martinez has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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