Steven R Martinez

Steven Ray Martinez (“Spyder”) a long time resident of Walnut, recently moved to Huntington Beach, California, peacefully passed away in the home of his daughter, Genine Telepak on August 24, 2024, at the age of 85. Born at home, October 7, 1938, Los Angeles in the Boyle Heights area. Raised by his mother and father who was in the military and away most of the time. He lived on and off with his grandmother Carmela, grandpa Joe, great-grandmother “La Viejita” and lived with aunts and uncles through his early childhood. His cousin Freddie lived with him for a time and was like a brother to him. He lived at “Roger Young Village” when little as this was a special place for Veterans after World War II. It was difficult living in the type of Kwanzaa huts but a perfect solution to help families get back on their feet for Veterans. At 5 years old he would go to side bars and provide a shoe shine service to men who would pay him 25 cents. Around seven years old his family moved back to Third Street in East Los Angeles. He went to school with his cousin Freddie and his Aunt Carmen. His sister Becky was born. She had special needs and required help from the family to raise her. This was when his father and mother became separated and eventually divorced years later. When 12-13 yrs old he attended Stevenson Junior High School. His uncle Art and Uncle Jess became his mentors. They taught him how to work on cars and fish. At 14, he would take the car and cruise. During the summers he would see his cousin Freddie whose father had a car shop. He began to get into mischief especially when they took cars to the part of town called “El Loyo”. Cruising and partying is when he met his first wife Eloise and fell in love. At almost 15, his father came back into his life. Manuel lived only three blocks away and was married to Gloria. His life improved and his dad gave him money, a phone for the house and he had his own room. At 15, he became more serious with Eloise and was able to get a driver’s license. Living in the “Hazard” area most young men would join gangs and Steve became a part of one. Since he was truant and misbehaving his father proposed the idea to skip school, get married and find a labor job. He married Eloise at 15 and that next year his daughter Susan was born. He got a job working in a paint factory that his uncle recommended. His first marriage ended when he was about 18. At 19, after poor choices, he made the decision to turn his life around. It was during this time that he met and fell in love with Mary Bridget Egan. They were married at St. Anslem’s on January 7, 1961. They raised Susan together and had one son, Mark. A year and a half later the twin girls Genine and Christine. At the age of 23, his family was complete. He was thrilled to be a husband and father and expressed it often.

The family moved out of Los Angeles to Montebello, California. Mary influenced Steve with her Catholic Spirituality. He came to understand and appreciate her faith walk. They attended church every Sunday together as a young family. His Uncle Art was a chemist in a paint factory and helped Steve get a job at Synkoloid which later became Spackle and Paste. Then, Dutch Boy from ages 22-24 and then Glidden Paint and Coatings when he was 25 until 50 years old.

Steve purchased their first family home in San Gabriel, California where he lived for the next 20 years. He belonged to St. Anthony’s parish where the children went to school for a period of time and then they transferred to public school after 3rd grade. Family, church, marriage encounter, group youth retreats all opened a new world for Steve. His wife Mary thrived in this environment and he was very supportive.

As the children got into middle school Steve’s interest in sports heightened. He started to play tennis, swim for the first time in his life, snow ski, camp and enjoy the beaches of southern California. The family could afford to camp along the Coast. Carpenteria State Campground was his favorite. He would oil paint on the beach. His son started to race motorcycles and he enjoyed it for himself. His other hobby was working on cars. He would buy cars and fix them in his garage.

When the twins went off to college in 1983 he and Mary moved to Walnut, California. His many years of developing himself through job training, further education in business skills, and understanding how to communicate well allowed him to move into sales. This new job position allowed him to financially afford a larger home. His career path continued to flourish and his bi-lingual skills gave him many opportunities. The company kept Steve until his retirement in 2006.

His children and grandchildren enjoyed having their father involved in every aspect of their lives. Steven is described as a well respected, a role model, generous, kind, person of integrity, living with a sense or order, spirituality, wisdom and a funny sarcastic humor. He exemplified what it means to age well.

His wife Mary, suffered from breast cancer and he lovingly took care of her at home during the time of her passing in 2007. He continued to be dedicated to his family. His four children were all married and had children. Steve became Pop-Pops to not only his grandchildren but to everyone.

Steve’s continued passions were gardening, taking good care of himself physically, golfing, working on his many cars and motorhomes through the years. He loved his tattoos in memory of his wife Mary:(bird and sunset) and the love of his cars: (Mustang, Viper, Masserati) and lastly a spider (nickname Spyder). He took trips to visit his children in Omaha, Bozeman and Arizona. He traveled to all the family parties and made a point to always show up. He is a Godfather to many and is well loved.

The family home in Walnut was sold in 2023 and Steve purchased a Pleasure Way travel van. His sidekick pomeranian “Nacho” was his best friend. Together they traveled and took in the beautiful sunsets of the California coast and RV parks. Early in 2024, Steve purchased a mobile home in Huntington Beach. It was his dream to live by the beach. He was diagnosed with lung cancer, May 2024. He fought the battle valiantly and allowed his daughters and son’s in laws to come live with him to help him on the rest of his journey here on earth. Many of his family and friends were able to come and visit him. To the end, he showed us how to squeeze the most out of the days we are given. He never complained. At one of his hospital visits a priest visited him and gave him the anointing of the sick. His heart was open to everyone and shared his witness to the forgiveness and love of the Lord for all.

This patriarch and leader passed peacefully at his daughter’s home in Arizona after one day of hospice. All his children and most grandchildren were able to be at his bedside.

Steven leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to his family and friends. Steven was pre-deceased by his wife, Mary Martinez, his parents Margaret Rincon and Manuel Martinez, his sister Rebecca and other siblings, his grandson Bryan Padgett, great granddaughter Denise Cazares. He is survived by his son Mark Martinez, his daughters Susan Garay, Christine Murphy and Genine Telepak. His 16 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren. His Aunt Carmen. Steve is also survived by brother Tommy Martinez and sisters Dolly, Dina, and Arleen

Flower arrangements can be delivered 9:00am-10:00am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Vestibule.