 MARTINEZ, JOE (PIPAS) M. JR. Our beloved father, Joe (The Great), left this world to join his loving wife, Helen, on December 23, 2014 after a short illness. Joe was born May 16, 1924 in Albuquerque, NM to Paula (Pablita) Valdez and Joe M. Martinez, Sr. He lived his young life in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico and married his childhood sweetheart, Helen, on March 2, 1944. Immediately after marrying, Joe was sent overseas to fight in the Pacific against the Japanese in WWII with the Air National Guard. After completing 29 successful bombings without injury, he earned the Distinguished Flying Medal, went to the University of Montana to complete his undergraduate studies. He returned to his native NM to Santa Fe in early 1952 and started teaching Science and Biology at the Espanola Municipal Schools in 1953, was promoted to Principal in 1966 and stayed until he retired in 1983. He was recognized by Mayor Larry A. Delgado with a certificate proclaiming May 16th, 2004 to be Joe "PIPAS" Martinez Day in Santa Fe for his undying commitment to the Santa Fe Senior Citizens Program for over 20 years, and for working to obtain a Greyhound type passenger bus through the Legislators of Santa Fe County and Mayor Larry Delgado. He and the Santa Fe senior citizens enjoyed many trips to Nevada in that bus. After losing his wife in 2005, a new chapter began with Joe moving to Albuquerque to be near his children. He lived a joyful and fulfilling life at Las Colinas Retirement Community, was always "in charge" of Bingo and had a special poker game with his buddies. We will always remember him as a loving and generous father who loved his children and everyone around him. His life with Helen produced four children, son LTC (ret.) Stan Valdez and companion Emma Apodaca, daughters Jeanette M. Hohler and husband Robert, Marcia J. Martinez and companion Meg Lili Christensen, and Susan L. Baca and husband Phil; grandchildren Eric Hohler, Jaimie Lynn (Hohler) Sciolino and husband John, Christian Diener and wife Megan, Michele Diener and partner Ronald Aveling; great -grandchildren Tyler Troutman and Hailie Troutman, Hannah Marie Hohler, Eric Joseph Hohler, Sarah Hohler, Julia Diener and Henry Diener, his sister-in-law, Bertha Christiansen; nephews Clifford Christiansen and wife Amy, and sons Eric Christiansen and wife Jody, and children Taylor, Cody and Trinity, Bryan Christiansen and wife Ali, children Santiago and Julian, nephew James Christiansen and wife Linda, and daughter Jessica, niece-in-law Elizabeth Christiansen and daughter Sara Christiansen and son Haize, and his niece Rosina (Martinez) Philips. A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, January 4, 2014 at 6 pm at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 5, 2014 at 10 am at St. Anne's Catholic Church with interment to follow at 11:15 am at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Berardinelli Family Funeral Service 1399 Luisa Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 984-8600 Please sign our guestbook for the family at: www.berardinellifuneralhome.com
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