Robert G. Martinez

Robert G. Martinez, 87, of Glendale, Arizona, died peacefully in his sleep on January 24, 2014, at his daughter’s home in Prescott. Robert was born in Flagstaff to Lorenzo and Concepcion (Gonzalez) Martinez. He married his beautiful bride, Celia Tachias Martinez, in 1949 in Flagstaff. He was the proud father to David Martinez (Elida), Viola Peak (Jack), Barbara Wands (Frank), and Ceci Foster (R.C.); proud grandfather to Alicia Davidson (Bo), Andrea Peak (Matt Davison), Melissa Garcia (Diego), Lisette Martinez (Rick Matthews), Weston Wands (Doris Zacarias), and Matthew Foster; and proud great-grandfather to Andrew Sanchez, Anthony Lobato, Amanda Davidson, Alyson Deguire, Alexis Garcia, Caden Davison, Alexander Davison, and Soren Davison. Robert is survived by his siblings, Mack Martinez of Flagstaff, Margie Aragon of Avondale, and Loretta Puaa of Goodyear. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Viola, Augustine, Arthur, Lorraine, and Delano.

Robert enjoyed life and loved his family. He was kind and gentle, and always had time for family and friends. He had a great love of sports and was excited with Arizona getting a Major League Baseball team. He was especially excited witnessing the Diamondbacks defeating the Yankees in the World Series. He was thrilled to attend many baseball games, witness a Super Bowl in Arizona, and occupy front row seats at a Coyotes game wondering if the players were going to go through the glass. He loved to read and watch any movie related to history or war, took pride in nurturing his yard and was interested in politics. He retired from the Arizona Daily Sun, then worked for the Flagstaff Public Schools, before retiring and relocating with his wife to Camp Verde, and eventually resided in Glendale for 18 years.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, February 8th, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, 5614 West Orangewood Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, 85301.