Celebrating a Life Well Lived

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, friend and Patriarch of our family, Joe Genovevo Martinez. Born March 4th, 1926, in Hayden, Arizona to Clemente and Trinidad Martinez, he passed to his heavenly reward on November 25, 2025. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, wife, Victoria Pena Martinez who passed in 2023 after 74 years of marriage; sisters, Trinidad Maldonado, Emma Pantoja, daughter Eva Christine Martinez and grandson, Rumaldo Gomez. He is survived by daughter, Bertha Gomez (David), 2 sons, Daniel Martinez (Rosa Laurie) and Joseph Martinez, 5 grandchildren, Jacob Gomez (Shauna) Dario Gomez (significant other, Alisha Martinez), Angela Martinez, Anthony Martinez (Kim), and Melina Whalon. 10 great-grandchildren, Zachary West (Savannah), Xander Martinez, Ava Whalon, Ethan Whalon, Nolan Martinez, Jacob Gomez, Caleb Martinez, Emma Whalon, Maverick Gomez. Also surviving are his beloved nephews and niece; Bobbie Maldonado (Jeannie), Eddie Maldonado, (Annie) Gilbert Maldonado (Hazel) and Elda Alatorre (Frank) as well as many grand nieces, grand nephews and friends.

Known for his passion for education, love of the United States of America and his faithfulness to his Catholic Faith, Joe was also known for his kindness, wisdom, and steadfast support to the family. He touched the lives of all who had the privilege to know him.

At the age of 17, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a radioman on the USS Randall, and the Higgins landing craft that transported the troops onto the island beaches in the Pacific during WWII. He prided himself in his trilingual abilities of English, Spanish, and Morris Code as he recounted numerous times to the family of having received the official notice of the end of WWII in his Morris code language. Joe often attributed his Navy service as making him into the man he was.

As he exited his military service, he was eternally thankful to the GI Bill that allowed him to pursue a Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Southern California. Joe's career led him to building tunnels and army depots with the Corp of Engineers. Later with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), he built Schools at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and outposts in the Alaskan frontiers.

The building of Fort Wingate Army Depot led him to residing in Gallup, New Mexico for 17 years where he raised his family and had a very successful business in Land Surveying and Engineering Services. (JG Martinez, and Associates Land Surveyors). He sold the business and went back to work with the BIA, building roads and bridges and later to General Construction. He ended his career as Chief of Construction in the Southwest Region with the BIA.

In 1980, he and Victoria and his two sons started a specialty painting Company, Accustripe, Inc. that specialized in pavement marking services that continues to this day providing pavement marking services throughout the Southwest. In his later years as his daily activities with Accustripe tapered off, not a day would go by without him asking how the work was going; as he cherished his relationships and business acquaintances he developed at Accustripe.

Joe's hobbies included his love of education as he later went on to achieve 2 master's degrees at the University of New Mexico: a Master of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Science in Traffic Management and Control. He also loved woodworking and cabinet making and was quite the handyman. He and Victoria traveled the world and shared their travel with their family. His love of golf gave him great joy, and his Arroyo del Oso golf buddies had a special place in his heart as he was in his 5th decade of that golfing community. He was a Past Faithful Navigator of his Knights of Columbus Assembly which blended well with his Catholic Faith. And what gave him his most joy, was providing and supporting his family in a manner that a true Father would do.

Joe frequently would comment what a blessed life he had lived. A first-generation Mexican American, he would comment "of all the places I could have lived my life God allowed me to live in the United States of America."

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Corus Hospice and to the employees of Honor Care: Brenda Garcia and Deborah Laabs. Also, independent care provider Maria Campa. These ladies gave Joe loving care and companionship and unconditional support to our family.

Joe's Celebration of Life will begin with a Rosary on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at FRENCH - Lomas at 6:00 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at Queen of Heaven Parish, 5300 Claremont Ave NE, Albuquerque, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow the Mass at Marriott Albuquerque, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE.

Pallbearers for the Mass will be Jacob Gomez, Dario Gomez, Angela Martinez, Anthony Martinez, Melina Whalon and Ricardo Ryals. Final Burial will take place on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at the Santa Fe National Cemetery 501 N. Guadalupe St. Santa Fe, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Queen of Heaven Catholic Church or San Juan Diego Friary, 404 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

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