Frank Martinez, age 93, passed away on January 11, 2020. Frank was born on July 25, 1926 in Santa Rosa, California to father, Frank Martinez and mother, Leonarda Mateo Martinez. Frank graduated from Analy High School in 1945 and proudly served in the Army of the United States from April 18, 1945 to November 17, 1946. He was assigned to the 1388th AAF Base Unit in Newfoundland, Canada where he worked in the Ordnance Motor Pool and Automotive Shops. During that time he served in the capacity of Driver-Mechanic. He received a glowing Letter of Recommendation from the Office of the Ordnance Officer of New York for his unlimited proficiencies in both vehicle maintenance and the hauling of personnel and cargo. During his period of service, he was assigned a 2-1/2 ton truck, and enjoyed the reputation of maintaining that truck over and beyond what was ordinarily required of drivers. He was recognized for displaying his loyalty to his superiors far above the average of the Army in general. He was known to be extremely industrious, conscientious and a willing worker, and had the respect of all persons, both soldiers and civilians, with whom he had any contact. These were all attributes he possessed not only during his proud service to his country, but throughout the entirety of his life. He also received a most esteemed and honorable letter from President Harry Truman thanking him for his service to his country and for demonstrating the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out and perform the tasks called out to him, and for his leadership and example.
It was shortly after his time of service in the U.S. Army, that he was introduced to his loving wife, Emily, through a photograph given to him by mutual friends of his family. He traveled to Barcelona, Spain where she lived at the time, so he could meet her in person, and immediately fell in love. They were married very shortly after on December 23, 1953, and enjoyed 66 years of marriage, had five beautiful children and three precious grandchildren together, all who were the center of his entire life to him, and his biggest pride and joy. Frank enjoyed a very fulfilling career as a long haul truck driver for Container Corporation of America, where he made many lifelong friendships within the company as well outside the company.
Frank was a gentle, caring and beautiful human being. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Emily, and a very proud and loving father to his five children, and the dearest, most doting grandfather to his three grandchildren. He was known by everyone to be the most loyal and trusted friend you could ever have. He was a man of true character, honest, dependable, fun to be around, multi-talented and smart. He loved good conversation and spending time with his family and friends. He thoroughly enjoyed playing cards with his kids and grandchildren, enjoying a good cigar now and then, and loved cooking BBQ for his family on his special backyard grill. He touched so many lives with his gentle and kind soul, and unselfish generosity. He was so deeply loved and will be missed more than words can say.
Frank is survived by his dear and loving wife, Emily, his five children, Isabelle, Cynthia, Frank, Kathy and Steve, his two grandchildren Jessica and Steve, his great grandson Jackson, his dear sister Mary and niece and nephew, Mary and Robert.
Friends are invited to attend a Visitation and Rosary Service on Friday, January 31, 2020, with visitation from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and Rosary to follow from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary at 466 North Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. Funeral Services are scheduled for the following morning, Saturday, February 1, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary at 466 North Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. followed by a “Celebration of Life” luncheon at Mariani’s Restaurant, 2500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA.
It is the family’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Frank’s honor to one of his two favorite charities, the American Heart Association at (https://www.heart.org/) or Disabled American Veterans at (https://www.dav.org/).
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