Joe P. (J.P.) Martinez

Joe P. (J.P.) Martinez, a resident of Bernalillo passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the age of 77.

J.P. was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Clara Martinez; brother Felix; sisters: Angie, Theresa; son-in-law Andy, and just a few days earlier, his younger brother Melvin.

J.P. is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Elizabeth; children: Roberta Trujillo, Troy Martinez and wife Krishna; six grandchildren: Andrew, Danielle, Erika, Jenna, Matthais, TJ; three great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Lilly, Emma; sisters: Toni Portillos, Rita Leyba (Alvin), Beatrice Roybal, Judy Costales; sisters-in-law: Ursula Martinez, Domy Martinez, Yvonne (Cliff) Pulis; brother-in-law Walter (Molly) Lopez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and family members.

Born on April 1, 1944, J.P. was a proud graduate of Bernalillo High School and member of the Bernalillo Spartans basketball team. J.P. spent six years as a Danzante for Los Matachines de San Lorenzo prior to being drafted and joining the Army and serving our Country in Vietnam. After returning from the Army, J.P. was honored to be appointed and serve as the Sandoval County Magistrate Judge. J.P. then went to work for the State of New Mexico Department of Labor and retired from there after 25 years of service.

What J.P. will be most remembered for was being a loving husband, an amazingly loving father and provider for Roberta and Troy, and for being the most loving and generous grandpa and great-grandpa (Pomps, Grumpy, Maow Maow, and Baba). He loved nothing more than being with family. From our weekly Sunday get togethers many years ago, with his Mom and Dad, all of his brothers and sisters and all of their children, to the many family holiday’s, birthday parties, and weddings. If there was a dance floor, J.P. was usually the first one on the dance floor and the last one off. He would bust a move with Liz, his sisters, Robbi, and whichever niece was up to dancing a ranchera or jitterbug. In recent years, when the dancing shoes had been put away, J.P. still loved being with his family making sure that his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were all at his house at the same time every Sunday and for every holiday.  Before the pandemic, J.P. would try to visit with his brothers and sisters regularly and once the pandemic hit he made it a point to call each of them regularly to check in on them, joke with them, tease them or give them a hard time.

Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank the doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital for their many years of care and professionalism in not only caring for J.P., but in caring for all of our Veterans. We would also like to thank the Town of Bernalillo Fire Department and the Sandoval County Ambulance staff for assisting in J.P.’s care in recent years as well.

J.P.’s Life Celebration will begin with a Rosary to be recited on Tuesday September 21, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Bernalillo. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. J.P. will be laid to rest at a later date in a private burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Urn Bearers will be Andrew Trujillo, Danielle Trujillo, Erika Trujillo, and Jenna Trujillo.

Honorary Urn Bearers will be Gabriel Trujillo, Matthais Trujillo and Troy (TJ) Martinez, Jr.

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