Juan Benjamin Martinez

Juan Benjamin Martinez was born October 5, 1937 in Mora, New Mexico to Emerinciana Fresquez and Jesus Martinez. Juan grew up in San Pedro, California and attended Barton Hill Elementary, Holy Trinity, and graduated from Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, California) in 1956. He joined the Marine Corps in 1957 and served 20 years including two tours in Vietnam. He was a Marine Drill Instructor at Cherry Point North Carolina and jet mechanic, specifically for the Phantom F4. He met and married Mary Rose Lucero in May of 1964 and they had four daughters. He loved and adored his family. The family lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Hawaii, and he finally retired as a Gunnery Sargent in 1977 and settled his family in Albuquerque, NM. He was a welding instructor at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute. He continued his welding career at Algodones Power Plant before he finished as a maintenance technician at Presbyterian Hospital. He touched and impacted those around him on a daily basis. He was known to his friends and family as Benjie, Marty, Juan-Two-Three-Four, "The Gunny," J.B., Fatso, Shorty, Bukkus, Crappaw, and Elevator Shoes. He spent as much time as he could with his wife, daughters, grandchildren, countless "friends for life" including Wayne, Anna and Isaac, Jim and Barbara, and neighbors, Betty, Linda, Tom, Pamela and Grace. He would do anything, anytime for his friends. He was as loyal as he was sentimental; His family always came first. He traveled to all family celebrations, various gatherings, cheered for his girls, his grandchildren in sports, attended music performances, and graduations. Because of his example of work ethic his children and grandchildren are talented, smart, and hard working as well. He enjoyed reading everything including westerns, love stories, and especially military historical non-fiction. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy with his boys, Rosary Rally (one of his devotions), Compassionate Friends (a support group for those with deceased children of any age), and weekly calls to family. He was a wonderful father, role model, and devoted friend. We will miss you old man. You left a huge impression on the hearts of many. Rest in peace; You deserve all the best in the promise of Heaven. We expect to hear all the great stories of the shenanigans you and your buddy Roseann can muster in the presence of the Lord.
Juan B. Martinez is survived by his wife, Mary Rose; daughters, Mary Robinson and spouse John, Vivian Martinez, Lorraine Spencer and spouse Dennis; grandchildren, Zachariah Matthew, Christina Marie, Dorian Michael, Mickey Mickey Mica Thomas, Dylan "Dyl Pickle" Matthew, "Bhen" Benjamin, and Jesse Alexander; sister, Sylvia Poli; and brother, Sam. Juan is preceded in death by his sweet, beautiful, kind, "piece of his heart" daughter, Roseann; parents, Emerinciana and Jesus; brothers, Jesse, Anthony, and sisters, Terry, Annabelle, and Sarah.
Friends may visit on Friday, November 27, 2015 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with a Rosary and celebration of life to follow at FRENCH - Wyoming. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Parish, 5303 Phoenix Ave. NE, Albuquerque. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.



FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400