Michael A. Martinez, or "Mike," suddenly ascended into heaven on Saturday, September 11th, 2021. The oldest of 3 siblings, he was born in Oakland, California on October 3rd, 1939 to Manuela and Mike Martinez. He is survived by his wife Manuela "Nellie" Martinez, children Monica (Owensby) Martinez, Steven (Renee) Martinez, Leticia Martinez, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded into death by his mother Manuela, his daughter Angie, and son Mike Jr.
As a young boy he was always curious about instruments, so much so he took clarinet lessons to broaden his horizons, even winning a few competitions along the way. To help pay for the lessons, Mike became a paper boy and had a dedicated route he would take to deliver the Oakland Tribune. Those days of paper routes led him on many adventures, including going to Oakland A's baseball games by winning tickets through work raffles. Always curious to learn more about the world, he often spoke of his favorite place to sit and read books, which would be on the bay's end, "watching the tide roll away" reading about everything from literature to engineering, no subject was off limits.
When he moved to Winkelman, Arizona with is mother and brothers, he then became a mighty Lobo and was a bat boy for the baseball teams through high school. He would often be seen throughout town with his beloved brother Richard, spending many good days hanging out at the river playing music and fishing, which was one of his favorite hobbies. It was also during this time that Mike held a job as a bag boy at a local grocery store, and movie theater usher in Hayden's bustling town, eventually leading him to work as a janitor at Kennecott at the young age of 19. He was also a brown belt in Martial Arts and proudly displayed every certificate in his home — we think it was to send a message. He continued his education by taking night classes at Central Arizona College, and at the age of 54 he proudly graduated with his Associate of Arts degree. During his 50+ year tenure at Asarco, he went on to advance and become the Metallurgical Technician of the plant, a position that required great intelligence and foresight. So when he retired, it was well deserved.
Meeting Manuela, or "Nellie" as most know, at a dance was by chance, and he would often say it was the best chance he ever took. After a few years of courtship and engagement, Mike and Nellie married in a small wedding in Tucson, Arizona. Spending 47 loving years together, it was rare to see one without the other laughing or just talking about the day ahead. In this marriage came 3 children, Monica, Steven, and Leticia. Spending time with them was one of his favorite parts of life. Whether it was overhauling the engine on his Jeep truck, fishing in the local rivers or Roosevelt Lake, or hunting all over the mountains near and far, he had one of his kids beside him learning how to do these things with him. The greatest and most endearing accomplishment in his life was being a family man who showed consistent love and support for his loved ones, and continuous gentle love for his sweetheart Nellie.
He loved going to the movies, or watching one at home, playing his guitar daily while learning new songs, tinkering around outside on his prized Willy's Jeep and taking visitors of the family on adventures into the canyon. It was almost as if those first experiences for everyone else was the first time he was seeing new things as well; he was always so excited to experience new things. He was also a dedicated member of the church choir, and playing in the band was a highlight of his life, because he felt he was performing with his community, for his community, with God as an audience.
What we will miss most about his existence is not able to be summarized in a passage. For the rest of our lives, we will remember his endearing smile and glimmering eyes, sense of humor, warm hugs and forehead kisses in moments we need that comfort. We were lucky to know and love Mike, Dad, Tio Mike, Tata Mike, who walked the earth for 81 years with intention to make those around him better every day. That in itself is a blessing that could only come from God, and one we will forever be thankful for.
As a young boy he was always curious about instruments, so much so he took clarinet lessons to broaden his horizons, even winning a few competitions along the way. To help pay for the lessons, Mike became a paper boy and had a dedicated route he would take to deliver the Oakland Tribune. Those days of paper routes led him on many adventures, including going to Oakland A's baseball games by winning tickets through work raffles. Always curious to learn more about the world, he often spoke of his favorite place to sit and read books, which would be on the bay's end, "watching the tide roll away" reading about everything from literature to engineering, no subject was off limits.
When he moved to Winkelman, Arizona with is mother and brothers, he then became a mighty Lobo and was a bat boy for the baseball teams through high school. He would often be seen throughout town with his beloved brother Richard, spending many good days hanging out at the river playing music and fishing, which was one of his favorite hobbies. It was also during this time that Mike held a job as a bag boy at a local grocery store, and movie theater usher in Hayden's bustling town, eventually leading him to work as a janitor at Kennecott at the young age of 19. He was also a brown belt in Martial Arts and proudly displayed every certificate in his home — we think it was to send a message. He continued his education by taking night classes at Central Arizona College, and at the age of 54 he proudly graduated with his Associate of Arts degree. During his 50+ year tenure at Asarco, he went on to advance and become the Metallurgical Technician of the plant, a position that required great intelligence and foresight. So when he retired, it was well deserved.
Meeting Manuela, or "Nellie" as most know, at a dance was by chance, and he would often say it was the best chance he ever took. After a few years of courtship and engagement, Mike and Nellie married in a small wedding in Tucson, Arizona. Spending 47 loving years together, it was rare to see one without the other laughing or just talking about the day ahead. In this marriage came 3 children, Monica, Steven, and Leticia. Spending time with them was one of his favorite parts of life. Whether it was overhauling the engine on his Jeep truck, fishing in the local rivers or Roosevelt Lake, or hunting all over the mountains near and far, he had one of his kids beside him learning how to do these things with him. The greatest and most endearing accomplishment in his life was being a family man who showed consistent love and support for his loved ones, and continuous gentle love for his sweetheart Nellie.
He loved going to the movies, or watching one at home, playing his guitar daily while learning new songs, tinkering around outside on his prized Willy's Jeep and taking visitors of the family on adventures into the canyon. It was almost as if those first experiences for everyone else was the first time he was seeing new things as well; he was always so excited to experience new things. He was also a dedicated member of the church choir, and playing in the band was a highlight of his life, because he felt he was performing with his community, for his community, with God as an audience.
What we will miss most about his existence is not able to be summarized in a passage. For the rest of our lives, we will remember his endearing smile and glimmering eyes, sense of humor, warm hugs and forehead kisses in moments we need that comfort. We were lucky to know and love Mike, Dad, Tio Mike, Tata Mike, who walked the earth for 81 years with intention to make those around him better every day. That in itself is a blessing that could only come from God, and one we will forever be thankful for.
Michael A. Martinez, or "Mike," suddenly ascended into heaven on Saturday, September 11th, 2021. The oldest of 3 siblings, he was born in Oakland, California on October 3rd, 1939 to Manuela and Mike Martinez. He is survived by his wife Manuela "Nellie" Martinez, children Monica (Owensby) Martinez, Steven (Renee) Martinez, Leticia Martinez, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is preceded into death by his mother Manuela, his daughter Angie, and son Mike Jr.
As a young boy he was always curious about instruments, so much so he took clarinet lessons to broaden his horizons, even winning a few competitions along the way. To help pay for the lessons, Mike became a paper boy and had a dedicated route he would take to deliver the Oakland Tribune. Those days of paper routes led him on many adventures, including going to Oakland A's baseball games by winning tickets through work raffles. Always curious to learn more about the world, he often spoke of his favorite place to sit and read books, which would be on the bay's end, "watching the tide roll away" reading about everything from literature to engineering, no subject was off limits.
When he moved to Winkelman, Arizona with is mother and brothers, he then became a mighty Lobo and was a bat boy for the baseball teams through high school. He would often be seen throughout town with his beloved brother Richard, spending many good days hanging out at the river playing music and fishing, which was one of his favorite hobbies. It was also during this time that Mike held a job as a bag boy at a local grocery store, and movie theater usher in Hayden's bustling town, eventually leading him to work as a janitor at Kennecott at the young age of 19. He was also a brown belt in Martial Arts and proudly displayed every certificate in his home — we think it was to send a message. He continued his education by taking night classes at Central Arizona College, and at the age of 54 he proudly graduated with his Associate of Arts degree. During his 50+ year tenure at Asarco, he went on to advance and become the Metallurgical Technician of the plant, a position that required great intelligence and foresight. So when he retired, it was well deserved.
Meeting Manuela, or "Nellie" as most know, at a dance was by chance, and he would often say it was the best chance he ever took. After a few years of courtship and engagement, Mike and Nellie married in a small wedding in Tucson, Arizona. Spending 47 loving years together, it was rare to see one without the other laughing or just talking about the day ahead. In this marriage came 3 children, Monica, Steven, and Leticia. Spending time with them was one of his favorite parts of life. Whether it was overhauling the engine on his Jeep truck, fishing in the local rivers or Roosevelt Lake, or hunting all over the mountains near and far, he had one of his kids beside him learning how to do these things with him. The greatest and most endearing accomplishment in his life was being a family man who showed consistent love and support for his loved ones, and continuous gentle love for his sweetheart Nellie.
He loved going to the movies, or watching one at home, playing his guitar daily while learning new songs, tinkering around outside on his prized Willy's Jeep and taking visitors of the family on adventures into the canyon. It was almost as if those first experiences for everyone else was the first time he was seeing new things as well; he was always so excited to experience new things. He was also a dedicated member of the church choir, and playing in the band was a highlight of his life, because he felt he was performing with his community, for his community, with God as an audience.
What we will miss most about his existence is not able to be summarized in a passage. For the rest of our lives, we will remember his endearing smile and glimmering eyes, sense of humor, warm hugs and forehead kisses in moments we need that comfort. We were lucky to know and love Mike, Dad, Tio Mike, Tata Mike, who walked the earth for 81 years with intention to make those around him better every day. That in itself is a blessing that could only come from God, and one we will forever be thankful for.
As a young boy he was always curious about instruments, so much so he took clarinet lessons to broaden his horizons, even winning a few competitions along the way. To help pay for the lessons, Mike became a paper boy and had a dedicated route he would take to deliver the Oakland Tribune. Those days of paper routes led him on many adventures, including going to Oakland A's baseball games by winning tickets through work raffles. Always curious to learn more about the world, he often spoke of his favorite place to sit and read books, which would be on the bay's end, "watching the tide roll away" reading about everything from literature to engineering, no subject was off limits.
When he moved to Winkelman, Arizona with is mother and brothers, he then became a mighty Lobo and was a bat boy for the baseball teams through high school. He would often be seen throughout town with his beloved brother Richard, spending many good days hanging out at the river playing music and fishing, which was one of his favorite hobbies. It was also during this time that Mike held a job as a bag boy at a local grocery store, and movie theater usher in Hayden's bustling town, eventually leading him to work as a janitor at Kennecott at the young age of 19. He was also a brown belt in Martial Arts and proudly displayed every certificate in his home — we think it was to send a message. He continued his education by taking night classes at Central Arizona College, and at the age of 54 he proudly graduated with his Associate of Arts degree. During his 50+ year tenure at Asarco, he went on to advance and become the Metallurgical Technician of the plant, a position that required great intelligence and foresight. So when he retired, it was well deserved.
Meeting Manuela, or "Nellie" as most know, at a dance was by chance, and he would often say it was the best chance he ever took. After a few years of courtship and engagement, Mike and Nellie married in a small wedding in Tucson, Arizona. Spending 47 loving years together, it was rare to see one without the other laughing or just talking about the day ahead. In this marriage came 3 children, Monica, Steven, and Leticia. Spending time with them was one of his favorite parts of life. Whether it was overhauling the engine on his Jeep truck, fishing in the local rivers or Roosevelt Lake, or hunting all over the mountains near and far, he had one of his kids beside him learning how to do these things with him. The greatest and most endearing accomplishment in his life was being a family man who showed consistent love and support for his loved ones, and continuous gentle love for his sweetheart Nellie.
He loved going to the movies, or watching one at home, playing his guitar daily while learning new songs, tinkering around outside on his prized Willy's Jeep and taking visitors of the family on adventures into the canyon. It was almost as if those first experiences for everyone else was the first time he was seeing new things as well; he was always so excited to experience new things. He was also a dedicated member of the church choir, and playing in the band was a highlight of his life, because he felt he was performing with his community, for his community, with God as an audience.
What we will miss most about his existence is not able to be summarized in a passage. For the rest of our lives, we will remember his endearing smile and glimmering eyes, sense of humor, warm hugs and forehead kisses in moments we need that comfort. We were lucky to know and love Mike, Dad, Tio Mike, Tata Mike, who walked the earth for 81 years with intention to make those around him better every day. That in itself is a blessing that could only come from God, and one we will forever be thankful for.
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