Manuel Dominguez Martinez

While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of family and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Manuel Dominguez Martinez. He had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought his help. Manuel was a forward-looking man whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone he met. He could be quiet and reserved, but his style of communication was authentic and direct. An excellent communicator, Manuel was a master at using imagery when he explained his ideas and concepts. He seemed to have an endless supply of innovative concepts and strategies for how to help those around him. His sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made him a wonderful friend for all who knew him.

From the time he was born on January 9, 1930, Manuel showed a deep concern for others. He was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Manuel came into this world in Riverside, California. His parents were Maximino and Gumersinda Martinez. Manuel was raised in Mexico.

Because fellowship was so important to him, Manuel promoted harmony with his siblings. He was raised with 7 siblings. He had five sisters, Margarita Herrera(deceased), Agustina Enriquez(deceased), Maria Concepcion(deceased), Herlinda Olague, and Josefina Moran, and two brothers, Ramon Martinez(deceased) and Antonio Martinez. Manuel was something of the family diplomat. He helped to settle problems and conflicts and kept the family running smoothly.

Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Manuel was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer his group of friends. He was generally friendly to all who knew him, yet to some he seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Manuel, they recognized that he could be full of surprises. Manuel enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. He would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of his ability to read people, he had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. While growing up, his best friend was Felix Marin. Later in life, he became friends with his co-workers Joe Flores and Gilbert Miranda.

Manuel was romantic, even poetic at times. He was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show his emotions without going overboard about it. On November 28, 1950 Manuel exchanged wedding vows with Juana Franco Rojas at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe of Gómez Palacio, Durango, México, D.F.

All who knew him would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Manuel was able to bond with his children. While he could be a firm disciplinarian, he could also fill the role of being a collaborator with his kids. Manuel was always a mentor who helped his family reach its full potential. Manuel was blessed with eight children, four daughters, Socorro Martinez, Graciela Martinez(deceased), Cristina Martinez(deceased), and Leticia Martinez, and four sons, Arturo Martinez(deceased), Arturo Martinez, Gilbert Martinez, and Tony Martinez. They were also blessed with 23 grandchildren, Ychel, Maya, Jeanine, Brianne, Sarah, Johanna, Angelique, Lauren, Connie, Ariel, Jose-Luis, Matthew, Steven, Robert, Jeremy, Michael, Gilbert, Randall, David, Benjamin, Edward, Ricky, and Ray; and 19 great-grandchildren: Christina(deceased), Arianna, Ayanna, Deja, Leilani, Mikayla, Steven, Angel, Isaiah, Isaac, Isaiah, Rudy, Raymond, Manuel, Eziquiel, Joshua, Jose-Luis, Xavier, and James.

Manuel projected a subtle but positive influence in his workplace. He was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, and he worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential. While his colleagues did not view him as a high-spirited type, Manuel was effective at working with others to gain acceptance for his ideas. Manuel could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. He possessed excellent insight and a strong ability to meet schedules. He was an innovator who worked well independently, and he enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. His primary occupation was gardener. He was employed for 30 years by the Santa Clara County Fair Association.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Manuel was comfortable showing his creative spirit. He enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Manuel took on a new project, he saw it through to its completion. His favorite pursuits were growing plants, and making hybrid plants, and also raising birds(canaries and parakeets). He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Manuel was one who put forth his best effort in every aspect of his life, and that carried over to his participation in sports as well. His sense of diligence inspired others and in turn drew best efforts from his teammates. Manuel was something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball(San Francisco Giants) and futbol(soccer).

Manuel was a man with clear convictions and high principles, and his faith was important to him. He was an inspiration to many people who recognized his sense of commitment and esteem for others. He was a member of St. Joseph's Church.

Manuel was a well-respected man who was charitable in every way. He would contribute without hesitation for the benefit of others. As a result, Manuel received many accolades for varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included Employee of the Year and several Employee of the Month awards during his 30 years at the Santa Clara County Association.

Manuel possessed strong skills in long-range planning and project completion, a quality that positively influenced his travel and vacation planning. Favorite vacation was going Gómez Palacio, Durango, México, D.F. to see his sister Agustina and his wife's family.

Manuel was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Manuel's favorites was Chiquita, a Chihuahua dog. They were best friends for 5 years.

As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Manuel accepted retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 1995, and Manuel was well prepared. In retirement, he found pleasure staying in San Jose to be near his family.

Manuel passed away on January 10, 2014 at Regional Medical Center in San Jose, California. Manuel passed away peaceful due to natural causes. He is survived by his wife Juana, his children Socorro, Arturo, Gilbert, Leticia, and Tony; his grandchildren Ychel, Maya, Jeanine, Brianne, Sarah, Johanna, Angelique, Lauren, Connie, Ariel, Jose-Luis, Matthew, Steven, Robert, Jeremy, Michael, Gilbert, Randall, David, Benjamin, Edward, Ricky, and Ray; his great-grandchildren Arianna, Ayanna, Deja, Leilani, Mikayla, Steven, Angel, Isaiah, Isaac, Isaiah, Rudy, Raymond, Manuel, Eziquiel, Joshua, Jose-Luis, Xavier, and James; and his sisters Herlinda and Josefina, and his brother Antonio. Services were held at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church. Manuel was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Though he could be a private person at times, Manuel was always able and willing to give of himself. He was so in tune with others that he often seemed able to read their minds. Manuel carried with him an almost mystical sense of life. He was a person who was highly original in his thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of his life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Manuel Dominguez Martinez shared himself freely and family and friends will remember Manuel for the strength of his convictions.