Leo J. Martinez

Leo J. Martinez, Sr. of Firestone, died September 14, 2007 at Hospice Care Center, Louisville, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 75.Leo was born on December 4, 1931 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Gabriel and Manuelita Archuleta Martinez. He moved with his family to the Weld County area as a young boy. He attended local schools, graduating from Frederick High School, in 1952.On April 14, 1956 he married Isabel Monares in Erie, CO. An entrepreneur, Mr. Martinez worked largely in construction trade. He was a general contractor, stonemason, building many homes in the Tri-town and Erie area. He had also worked in the insurance field later in life.A civic leader, Mr. Martinez served on the Town Board and Volunteer Fire Department for Erie. He was proud of helping build the new fire station there and many other projects while on town board. His intense love and compassion for the communities he lived led him to head up many fundraisers for various causes, efforts and individuals. An entertainer, Leo was quick to pick up a microphone and comfortable on the stage. He frequently would take the stage to sing, including stepping in with his brothers group the Martinez Brothers at celebrations and events in the area. He was an avid golfer, setting up games the past few year as frequently as possible and enjoyed karaoke at many local establishments. He frequently joined family and friends on trips to Central City/Blackhawk.He was a member of the Knight of Columbus, the Tri-Town Lions Club, American Legion, and coach Little League Baseball in Erie for a number of years.Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters, Pauline Pacheco and Ida Trujillo, and brothers Sam and Peter Martinez.Surviving are his wife Isabel of Firestone, a son Leo Martinez, Jr. and his wife Angela of Firestone, daughter Tina Martinez-Awad and her husband Wael of Firestone, grandchildren Jessica and Tyler Martinez of Frederick and Abigail Awad of Firestone; six brothers John Martinez and his wife Nancy of Dacono, Nick Martinez of Dacono, Felix Martinez and his wife Betty of Frederick, Ruben Martinez and Diana of Longmont, Roy Martinez and his wife Shawn, and Max Martinez and his wife Cindy of Longmont; a sister Charlyne Martinez of Firestone, sister in law Kathie Martinez, a brother in law Victor Trujillo and numerous nieces and nephews.Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 19 at St. Theresa?s Catholic Church. A Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 20 at St. Theresa?s Catholic Church, Frederick.Interment will follow at Foothills Gardens of Memory.Contributions may be made to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026