Daddy was born to Benigno Andres Martinez Balirach and Marie Catherine Koen on August 21, 1919 in New Orleans. He grew up in the Carrolton and Fontainebleau neighborhood and was part of the "Dukes of Nelson Street" which, in those days, was what he and his close friends called themselves. Ben attended Jesuit High School from 1931 to 1935. He attended Loyola College (now Loyola University) where, after trying a couple areas of studies and on the advice of his father, he chose pharmacy and graduated in 1942.
From May 1942 until May 1946, like other young men of the time, his patriotism drew him into the Army with the 88th Infantry Division in the Battalion Medical Section of the 351st Infantry also known as the "Blue Devils." He was a Medic, Battalion Surgeon Assistant and took care of the wounded at the front lines on the Gothic Line in Italy. He marched with his unit from Rome to northern Italy and was in the Trento area when the war ended. He achieved a promotion in combat to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded several medals including 3 Bronze Stars with Cluster before being honorably discharged in 1946. Afterwards, he served in the Army Reserves for 7 more years ultimately achieving the rank of Captain.
Upon returning home in 1946, Daddy met then married in 1947 his sweetheart Marie Carolyn Champagne (deceased.) He began his professional career as a pharmacist that same year. He was employed by Boris Mattes at the Professional Rx Pharmacy #1 until 1951 when he and Mr. Mattes joined as partners and started Professional Rx Pharmacy #2. Several years later, Ben, Mr. Mattes, and Sal Gaglio opened Professional Rx Pharmacy #3. After running a successful business for 38 years, Daddy sold his interests in both pharmacies in 1989 to Danny Haro and retired. Ben always enjoyed working with the doctors and nurses in the pharmacies' neighborhoods. He was a true apothecary and said he mostly enjoyed creating compounds and specialty drugs for the doctors.
Daddy had a love for all sports especially baseball. He spoke often about how he would walk from his home on Fontainebleau Ave. in the Carrolton neighborhood to the old Pelican Stadium at Tulane Ave. to watch a game. Daddy told us that one day on his walk to the stadium, the famous New Orleans States-Item sportswriter “Pie” Dufor gave him a lift and got him into the stadium for free.
He and Mama traveled extensively and enjoyed cruising. He also took great pleasure in being with his family and dining with them; often at Galatoire's Restaurant. As a youngster, Daddy and his siblings spent summers in the northern fishing village of Noia, Spain where his father was born. Later in life, he took our family to Spain so they could understand and embrace the country of their family's origin. In 2004, Ben, Carolyn, and their children along with many of his American relatives traveled to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain to hold a family reunion which brought together the American and Spanish families for the first time ever. It was a trip and memory Ben held dearly for the remainder of his life. To this day, we are all very close to our Spanish family, several of whom were able to join Daddy in New Orleans as he celebrated his 100th birthday last year.
Ben lived a rich, fulfilling life and commented often how fortunate he was. In his college graduation book, he was nicknamed "Fleet-foot" Martinez and remembered as someone who was a good friend to all. Ben will be remembered for his kindness, his culinary skills, and his corny "Papere jokes." He and Mama both believed that quality education was an important component of a successful life. To back up their beliefs, in 2006 they made a meaningful donation to Jesuit High School honoring his parents, Benigno Andres & Marie Catherine Koen Martinez, with an Endowed Scholarship. He also was a donor to and an active at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans until 2019. As evidence of his love, respect, and devotion to his fellow servicemen, he bought individual memorial seats in the Solomon Victory Theater for his brothers who all served in WWII as well as his friends and in-laws who served. Additionally, Daddy spent several years volunteering as an archivist at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum.
Ben is predeceased by his wife Carolyn and his son Ben Martinez III. He is survived by his children Marie "Mimi" Louise Satterfield, Juanita "Nita" Marie Breckenridge (Delo), and Carolyn "Cookie" Marie Waters (Kyle). He had 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Special thanks go to the wonderful “Mother/Daughter Team” of Connie and Christian Smith for their devotion and love for Daddy. They both took special care of him every day for years keeping him comfortable and happy until the very day he passed.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 28 at 1:00 at St Francis Xavier Church, 444 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA. The family will receive visitors at the church from 12:00 until 1:00, a private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Jesuit High School "Marie C. and Benigno A. Martinez Endowed Scholarship Fund" or to the National WWII Museum, New Orleans.
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