Vences J. Age 92 - Chimayo Martinez

Vences J. Martinez, 92, a resident of Chimayo passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. He was a lifelong member of Holy Family Parish in Chimayo. He was also a member of the Coro Santiago, the Holy Name Society, the Cursillos, Christian Living and American Legion. He attended New Mexico College of A&M Arts in Las Cruces to study to be an Engine Service Mechanic. Shortly after leaving NM A&M, he worked in the shipyards and Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC) before being called to serve his country during World War II in the American-European Theater of Operations, discharged in February 1946. He retired from Los Alamos National Lab in 1978 after 30 years of service as a machinist. After retiring, he and his wife continued to work on their ranchito and would go to the farmers market every weekend. As a hobby he would love to make wood carvings. Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Martinez; parents, Apolonio and Celestina; brothers: Abad and Sigfredo Martinez. He is survived by his children: Stella and husband Horace Martinez, Albert and Juanita Martinez, James and wife Betty Martinez, all of Chimayo, Larry and wife Selvin Martinez of Maryland, Mario and wife Gale Martinez of Albuquerque, Sister Lucille Martinez of the Order of Our Lady of Victory Noll (OLVN) Meadow Lake, NM; brothers: Robert and AJ of Chimayo, Arsenio of Las Cruces; sisters: Maltide Trujillo, Fabiola Vigil and husband Anastacio; sisters-in-law: Genoveva Martinez, all of Chimayo, Manuelita Pena of La Servilleta and Rose Quintana of Española; brother-in-law, Joe Quintana and wife Flora of Santa Fe; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Rosary will be recited on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chimayo. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Chimayo with interment to take place at 2:15 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery with the following grandchildren serving as pallbearers: Manny, James Jr., Nicholas, Melissa, Anna and Alexandra; honorary pallbearers are his remaining grandchildren Elena, Julio, Sonya, Tatiana, Brenda and his 12 great-grandchildren. The family would like to give thanks to both caregivers Berta and Norma who have given both our parents Vences and Virginia care and companionship. The family of Vences J. Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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