Paul Martinez, Jr

Paul Martinez Jr. passed away peacefully on December 5, 2023, two days after his 89th birthday. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret Avila, his four children: Paul T. Martinez, Cheryl L. McAnally, Kevin A. Martinez, and Gary M. Martinez, seven grandchildren: Justin, Britanni, Austin, Loghan, Olivia, Gabriella and Mikaela. Paul is also survived by his siblings Eddie, Richard, Frank, and Connie. He was preceded in death by his siblings Sylvia, Alfred, Orlando, and Jimmy.

Paul was a devout Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also an affiliate member of St. Anthony's fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Paul was born in Las Animas, Colorado. At the age of 17 he joined the Navy and proudly served for 3 years, most of that time in Hawaii. Returning home to Las Animas, he went to work for the Veterans Administration, and soon after met and married Margaret. He transferred to Chicago to begin a distinguished career as the nation-wide Catalogue Division Chief for the VA. After retiring, Paul and Margaret moved to Albuquerque in 1992 where they made their home.

A viewing will be held Monday, December 18 at 5:00 PM, with a Rosary to follow at 6:00 PM, at French Mortuary, 9300 Golf Course Road NW. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 22 at 10:00 AM at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Boulevard NW. His ashes will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1900 Mark Avenue, Gallup, NM 87301, littlesistersofthepoor.org, 505-722-4121.