A Memorial Service was held for Mario Martinez Saturday, January 28 at 1 p.m. at the Almaden Hills Methodist Church, 1200 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose. Mr. Martinez died Jan. 10.
Mario Martinez was born November 8, 1951 to Jesus Pablo Martinez and Guadalupe San Miguel Martinez in Corcoran, California.
Mario was raised in the central valley and learned the value of higher education by working in the fields for his father, who was a Labor Contractor. He played all sports, but had a fondness for baseball. When not playing, he was working as an assistant coach for up and coming baseball teams.
Mario moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1969 and there settled with his first wife, Patty Battin and raised his first six children.
After his divorce he moved to San Jose and started working at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center as a Medical Supply clerk. It was there that he met his current wife, Garnet. They married in 1984 and raised their three children in the San Jose area.
Mario was active in the kids’ sports; coaching the elementary soccer team, coaching Alex’s baseball teams, being an avid supporter of Greg as he progressed in Tae kwon do, and was a constant presence during Marissa’s (and the boys’) swim meets.
Mario developed his passion for writing and in standing up for human injustices. He wrote three books, “The Obituary”, “The Shepherd”, and “The Eleventh Commandment”.
For three years Mario had a homeless project where he purchased clothes and other items for the homeless living in San Jose’s St. James Park. Once a month he and a crew of friends and relatives would go to the park and hand out about 75 bag lunches and the other items he had gathered. He was never judgmental or rude to them, he only asked their names and “Have you eaten today?”.
Mario had the biggest heart and was always willing to give a handout. Since Mario had been disabled for several years, he did his work for the homeless from his motorized scooter. Mario loved his family and enjoyed big family gatherings, and he left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone he met. Mario passed away from complications of diabetes.
Mario is survived by his wife, Garnet; his children, Bradley Battin, Michelle Benson-Kidd (Larry), Daniel, Elizabeth, Kimberly Taylor (Christian), Stephanie, Alexander (Catelyn), Gregory, and Marissa Catura (Jerico); 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandson; siblings, Rose Martinez-Alvarado, Angel (Connie), Ephram (Maxine), Maria Siccardi (Pierre), Molly Zirpel, Jim (Brenda ), Susie Hernandez (Jim) and Danny (Lydia).
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jess, Jr. and George.
Please make donations to the Kidney Foundation, or charity of choice, or just pass on a smile and lend a helping hand to those in need.
