Joe Anastacio Martinez passed away Friday, July 19, 2024. He was the beloved son of Ruby Ernastina Martinez (Velasquez) and Joe Ignacio Martinez.
He is survived by his brothers, John and Andrew (Eileen) Martinez, and his sisters, Nellie Fisher and Becky (Eddy) Medina.
He was preceded in death by siblings Edna Martinez and Richard Martinez.
Joe is survived by his children with whom he shared with Roberta Martinez: Caesar (Peggy) Martinez, Sahara (Andy) Paolella, Diego (Gail) Martinez, and Tasho (Diana) Martinez, and his grandchildren, Royce, Brandon, Maya, Joaquin, Emilio, Galilea, Shivanni, Rio, and Kai. He was also blessed with a great-grandchild, Gabriel.
He is survived by his spouse of 38 years, Fabiola Donovan, and his step-children, Michelle (Daren) Jones and Nikki Donovan, and his grandchildren Emilee, Makaela (Ryan), Morgan, Zach, Brendan, Dylan, and Kamille.
Joe was a Heavy Equipment Operator (MOS 62B2) with the 34th Engineer Company B, and served honorably in 1969 and 1970; stationed in Laikia in Fuloy.
As a very caring and loving father, Joe was a father figure to many extended friends and family. His laid-back attitude and carefree nature made him a very easy person to talk to.
“Hito, if I die, it's okay. I’ve lived on borrowed time since the war.” We were all blessed to have his borrowed time. His attitude of not taking things too seriously and the immense amount of help he outpoured to his friends and family, from roofing a home to repairing wires and countless projects for friends and family, made him an invaluable presence. He was constantly working to make things better around him. Friends and family are immensely blessed by his life and deeply hurt by his loss.
Funeral services will be held at River of Life Church in Alamosa on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10 a.m. followed by full military honors where his ashes will be buried at Homelake Veterans Cemetery at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the River of Life Church; envelopes are available directly at the church.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of his arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes and words of comfort please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
