Father Vidal - age 69 - Chamita Martinez

Father Vidal Martinez, 69, a resident of Chamita, born May 27, 1944 and passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014. He was born to Simon Jr. and Rafaelita Martinez. He was preceded in death by his father, Simon Martinez Jr.; brother, Rafael Martinez and sister, Marcella Gonzalez. Father Vidal Martinez was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1970 and served for 43 years as a priest throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, he also served as Chaplain/Captain of the National Guard in Santa Fe. He is survived by his mother, Rafaelita Martinez of Abiquiu; brothers and sisters, Simon Martinez III of Phoenix, Juanita Gallegos and husband Eloy of Abiquiu, Ben Martinez and wife Dolores of TX, Jose Miguel Martinez and wife Sally of Farmington, Juan Martinez of Santa Fe, Vicentita and husband Robert Rivera of Abiquiu, Melinda Mondragon, Elizaida Martinez and Agapita Martinez of Abiquiu; aunts, Tia Lucy Trujillo of Abiquiu, and Tia Cordy Martinez of Española; caregivers, Carl and Mary; close cousins, Gerald Archuleta of Abiquiu, Vicente and wife Sara Archuleta of Santa Fe and numerous other cousins, nephews, nieces and many close friends. A rosary will be recited on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Public visitation will begin on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu with a rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. also at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Abiquiu. Burial to follow at the Abiquiu Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Kenny Medina, David Salazar, Joseph Montoya, Allen Trujillo, Johnny Pacheco and Louie Salazar. Honorary pallbearers are, Elmo Valdez and Dexter Trujillo. The family of Father Vidal Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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