Paul Fred Martinez

Paul F. Martinez, 86, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully at home, with his wife Marge by his side, on September 1, 2022. He was born in Dixon, NM, in November 1935. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Josephine, and Max Martinez; his youngest son Ronnie; and his siblings Max, Estella Ribal (Cornelito), George (Frances), and Gilbert (Tita).

Paul is survived by Marge, his wife of 65 years; two sons Dennis (Loretta) Martinez of Tucson, AZ, and Richard (Rebecca) Martinez; daughter Cindy (Gary-D) Jiron; grandchildren Leslie Martinez, Cheyenne (Grant) Brumlow, Jesse (Leslie) Jiron, Ely Jiron, Teresa (Cosmo) Jiron, Dominick Martinez, Monica (Matt) Trujillo, and Mariah (Allen) Gilliland; and great-grandchildren Mateo, Michael, Dani, Gabe, Aiden, Ely Jr., Emma, Sebastian, Oliver, Ivy and Remi.

Paul was raised in San Luis Valley, Colorado, where he graduated from Del Norte High School. Here he met and married his high school sweetheart, Marge. He was a school bus driver and drove through many snowstorms that would astonish us today.

Soon after marrying, Paul and Marge moved to Albuquerque. Paul worked at Sandia National Laboratory for 42 years, retiring in 1998. He began as a key punch operator, working with IBM computer punch cards (he was an excellent typist). Paul worked at Sandia's Tonopah Test site in Nevada for three years before returning to Albuquerque, where he worked in several computer departments, before finally retiring from the security department.

Paul was a firm but generous and loving father who always wanted the best for his kids. He taught them to work hard and have fun. Paul helped with the inception of Zia Little League, where his sons played.

His Catholic faith was very important to Paul. He was an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Usher. In 2016, Paul and Marge were recipients of the 15th Annual Archbishop's Saint Francis of Assisi Award, which honors couples who have modeled the Sacrament of Marriage for 50 years or more.

Cruise ship vacationing with Marge was Paul's favorite leisure activity. Together, they took more than 40 cruises throughout the world. His favorite destination was the Mexican Riviera. He loved lying in the sun while Marge shopped. Taking weekend trips to Las Vegas with friends Eddie & Cecilia, Barbara & Armando, and Sammy & Ricky brought him much joy. Paul was an avid bowler. He loved working on cars and often repaired his relatives' vehicles. In his retirement, Paul was a member of the Coronado Thunderbirds and served on the entertainment committee. He was also a member of the Golden Eagles, where he served as treasurer.

The viewing, holy rosary, and funeral Mass will be held Friday, September 16, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 811 Guaymas Pl NE. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.