Martin G. Velasquez

Martin Velásquez (affectionately known as Mr. V), age 90, passed away on Tuesday May 7, 2019. Martin was born to Doroteo and Timotea Velásquez on November 12, 1928 in Rural Hays County. The eldest of three sons, the family moved to a number of locations across rural Hays and Comal counties during the late '20's and early '30's, including a residence in what is now Gruene TX. Growing up he helped provide for the family leaving school after only the sixth grade (he later, while in the Army, worked to obtain his GED) to continue to work with his dad to support his mom and brothers. As time passed, he eventually took a job at Mission Valley Mills/Comal Cottons, a cotton/textile factory in New Braunfels now long closed. In 1948, at the age of 20 he enlisted in the Army and was immediately sent to Ft. Worden in Washington State for training as a radio operator. Sadly, it was here where he was one day informed of his father's passing. He spoke about how much the fact that he was not home when this happened, left an indelible mark on his conscience.

Ready for military service he was shipped off to Korea, and served with the 8th Army 532 EB & SR REG during the most tumultuous times of the "conflict", spending time in North Korea and participating in the eventual march back across the border to S. Korea. In '52 he left the Army and landed a Civil Service position at Kelly Field. After a year, and with the help of his uncle, he finally came to his job with the U.S. Postal Service where he worked as a letter carrier for 34 years until his retirement.

In 1953, he married Josephine Castilleja in New Braunfels, TX. They had six children, Esther, Gilbert, (twins) Isabel and Sylvia, Albert and the youngest, Michelle.

Martin loved baseball, so much that in '59- '60 he worked the beer concessions at the original "Mission Stadium" ball park on Mission Road creating life-long bonds with friends who have long since passed. He was an avid music lover and was always ready to go out to the "baile", or in later years still followed his favorite conjunto bands at Rosedale Park. He was very active in the NALC Local Branch 421 participating as a "shop steward" for a number of years. Along with his compadre, Joe Flores, they spent countless hours/days/years at the union headquarters on E. Grayson helping out his fellow letter carriers. Martin was the "building manager" tending to the daily tasks of upkeep and maintenance on the building, his favorite task was bartending in the "union hall". In June'87 Martin retired from the Postal Service. Never one to sit idle, Martin immediately jumped on board working for Brookfield Uniforms, servicing the same people he worked alongside with all those years and more.

Martin was active in his post military service attending and or hosting his company reunions. He was a member of VFW Post 9186 and a faithful parishioner at the Basilica of the Little Flower, a strong supporter of the church and its needs.

He is preceded in death by his aforementioned parents and a brother, Gilbert, who died at infancy.

Martin is survived by his wife Josephine, his children, Esther (Elias RIP) Gonzales , Gilbert (Debra), Isabel (Frank) Corrales, Sylvia Ann (Vincent) Sosa, Albert and Michelle / grandchildren, Melanie Morris, Christopher Reyes, Jayson Corrales, Cassandra Velásquez Rodriguez and her half-sister Stephanie Zentmyer (whom he loved and cared for as his own), Natalie Corrales / great-grandchildren, David and Derek Rodriguez, Amaris Corrales, Jaron Martin, Ryan, Natalie and Ashtyn Morris. Two brothers Miguel and Jesus (Jimmy), nieces and nephews, Marie, Mike (RIP), Carlos, Ricardo and Monique.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM following with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM at Porter Loring Mortuaries.

FUNERAL MASS

FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019

10:00 AM

THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER

824 KENTUCKY AVE.

Interment to follow service at Fort Sam Houston.