Genaro Martinez

Genaro V. Martinez, 97, a lifelong resident of Chimayo, NM, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023, following a brief illness.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Celina Martinez; his sons, Roberto and Estevan Martinez; his parents, Norberto and Aurora Martinez; siblings, Salomon (Pauline) Martinez, Estella (Ismael) Martinez, Lorenzo (Jenny) Martinez, Sarita (Alfonzo Cordova) Vega; parents in-law, Herculano and Senaida Montoya, brothers and sisters in-law; Filiberto Montoya, Margarito (Grace) Gallegos, Adela Martinez, Margret (Chester) Smith, Minnie Rael, Tito Montoya, Avenicio Fernandez, and Ernesto Apodaca.

Genaro was proud to be from Chimayo where he was often seen working diligently in his garden which was his pride and joy. It gave him great pleasure to share the bounty of his harvest with his family, friends and neighbors. He strongly believed in maintaining the traditions of his heritage and served as a commissioner and mayordomo in the local Acequia Association. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 26 years before establishing his General and Electrical Contracting business. Genaro was an active member of LiUNA Local Union 16. Also, Genaro served a term as the County Assessor for Rio Arriba County.  He was very dedicated to his faith and was an active parishioner in his church where he served as a Eucharist Minister, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, was an Hermano in the local Cofradia; he served as the Grand Marshall for the Fiestas de Chimayo; and participated in the traditional “Moros y Cristianos” festival which was performed on horseback.

Genaro is survived by his children; Ralph (Carlotta) Martinez of Peñasco, Kate (Roland) Salazar of Chimayo, William (Erika) Martinez of Denver, CO, Patricia (Vincent) Trujillo of San Pedro, and Penny (Marvin) Salazar of San Pedro; his siblings; Ernesto (Maria) Martinez, Rita Muñoz, and Oralia Fernandez; brothers and sisters in-law; Gilberto Rael, Ernesto Martinez, Emilia Montoya, and Modesta Montoya; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Public visitation will begin on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 6:00 pm followed by recitation of the rosary and family sharing of memories at 7:00 pm at San Juan Bautista Parish at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 am, also at San Juan Bautista Parish. Reception to follow at the San Juan Parish Hall.  Burial will take place at a later date.

Serving the family as pallbearers and carrying Genaro to his final resting place will be his grandsons; Ralph, Jr, and Teddy Martinez, Enrique and Carlos Trujillo, Luke Salazar, and Elijah Martinez. Honorary Pallbearers are Ray Martinez, Leroy Martinez, Frank Smith, and all his grandchildren.

The family of Genaro Martinez has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477