Manuelito "Manny" Martinez

MANNY MARTINEZ Nov. 19, 1989 – Feb. 10, 2023

The family of Manuelito “Manny” Martinez announces the untimely loss of our beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. Manny passed away unexpectedly, in Los Alamos, February 10, 2023.

Manny was born in Santa Fe, raised in Santa Cruz, NM, attended school, resided and worked in Los Alamos. Growing up Manny was active in scouts, band, school clubs, football, rugby, chess, photography, squires and many, many other clubs/activities in Los Alamos, Española and Santa Fe. LA Youth football is where the name “Manny” came to be by Coach Cardon the day Manny joined the team. Manny spent his sophomore year of high school in Venezuela as a foreign exchange student. He often surprised others when he spoke in Spanish – he had the most beautiful accent.

Manny worked for Los Alamos Public Schools his senior year of high school. After high school he moved to Los Alamos and worked at the newly built Holiday Inn Express, he started working at Smith’s Marketplace when it opened, returning a few years ago to the Holiday Inn Express as a manager. During the start of COVID, Manny would put in 16+ hour days at Smith’s managing the ClickList department and supporting his team working extra-long hours alongside them to ensure his customers/neighbors received what they needed. His coworkers described him as demanding but also said he was right there by them getting the job done. In 2011, during the Las Conchas Fire, Manny worried his family by refusing to evacuate Los Alamos as he was supporting his community when emergency services evacuated to the hotel – yet another example of Manny working long hours to support the community he loved.

He was an avid reader, active gamer, enjoyed shooting, traveling, trying out new restaurants with friends and family, and regularly supporting local restaurants around town. Most of all, Manny loved spending time with friends and family – sharing everything he enjoyed with those he loved. Manny’s family fondly remembers all his childhood/teenage/young adult antics and funny, loving and caring nature. “Manny was more than family – he was a friend.” Manny’s family is extremely thankful for the tremendous outpouring of support from his co-workers and friends from across the country and around the world who describe Manny as an amazing person and a wonderful friend who will be greatly missed.

“Manny was a wonderful guy, best of friends, I enjoyed spending time with him.” 

“Manny was an amazing friend who was generous with his time with friends and supported them however they needed.”

“Manny was a great friend who made his friends lives better for having known him.” “Manny was truly one of a kind, a funny guy with a big heart.”

“Manny was not just a co-worker, he was a close friend.”

“Manny was the big-brother I never had, he was family to me.”

“Manny always made me feel comfortable and knew how and just when to make me laugh.”

“Manny was a goofy, friendly guy who was always there when you needed someone to talk to, to provide support, or just listen.”

“Manny touched so many lives, he was the big-brother to lean on and look up to, and he will be greatly missed.”

Manny is preceded in death by his grandparents Joe/MaryAnn Martinez and Ingrid Morgan, aunts Melinda and Patsy Martinez, cousins and extended family. Manny is survived by his parents MaryAnn (Martinez) and Bob Morgan, uncles/aunts: Joe/Paula, Peter/Freddi, Dino/Enedina, Larry, Paul/Laurie, Charles/Lucille Martinez; grandfather George Morgan, uncles/aunts George/Paula, Doug, Ed/Berta Morgan; and many, many cousins, extended aunts/uncles and friends.

A rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25  at Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz, NM with a mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. A burial will take place at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos at a later date.

Even though our hearts are breaking, we will try not be sad that you are gone, instead we will be thankful that you lived and that we were blessed to have you be part of each of our lives.