Ross Age - 71 - Santa Fe Martinez, Jr.

Ross Martinez Jr. (Rosito) 71 of Santa Fe passed away peacefully on August 28th at his home in Santa Fe. He was born on May 5th, 1941. Ross was a lifelong artist who was happiest painting elaborate pieces of art based on his passion for pre-Columbian history. He derived great pleasure from simple things in life—helping a neighbor, teaching art to senior citizens in Santa Fe, searching for arrowheads in northern NM, and visiting with family and friends. He loved the small village of Petaca where he was born and traveled there from his home regularly. Although he was raised in San Francisco, California, he had called northern NM home for over 45 years. An accomplished traveler, he was able to visit Spain, Peru, Columbia, Guatemala and Mexico in his lifetime and had acquired an extensive collection of books about the art and artists in each country. Ross was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Cathy and a daughter Rachel, his father Ross Martinez Sr., a cherished niece Audry Rodriguez, paternal grandparents Felix and Ramoncita Martinez, and maternal grandparents, Jose Mercedes and Bersavea Jaramillo. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Sylviana and Ernesto Roybal and beloved sister Patricia DelMastro and husband Dee of Las Vegas, Nevada, niece Yvonne Rodriguez and a great-nephew, Leo Terzian of Albuquerque and great-niece, Sonia Contreras. He leaves behind a step-brother Ron (Sylvia) of La Mesilla with whom he was very close and spent much time with. He is also survived by step-brothers and sisters Paul (Myra), Brenda (Harry), Dee Arlene (Martin), and Maureen (Danny) of NM, step-mother, Emily Martinez and, step-brother Ruben Roybal of Las Vegas, NV. At the time of his death, Ross had begun to paint a mural on the walls of the small Nuestra Divina Pastora church in Petaca. The mural will be completed by several northern NM artists next year. In lieu of traditional funeral services, a celebration of Ross’ life will take place on May 5th, 2013 in Petaca to commemorate his birthday and unveil his mural. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be interred in the near future. An announcement will be forthcoming in April of next year inviting family and friends to celebrate his life. The family of Ross Martinez Jr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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