Jospeh Benjamin "Bennie" Martinez Obituary

Joseph Benjamin "Bennie" Martinez

May 16, 1934 - February 15, 1993

Longmont Daily Times-Call
Wednesday, February 17, 1993

Joseph Benjamin "Bennie" Martinez of 666 Kensington St. in Longmont died on Monday, February 15, 1993, at Longmont United Hospital. He was 58.

Born on May 16, 1934, in Longmont, he was the son of Frank S. Martinez and Fidelia Duran Martinez. He attended Columbine Elementary School, Bryant School, and Longmont High School when it was located on Main Street. A trombone player, Bennie was a member of the original "Rhythm Airs," a jazz group at Longmont High School.

Mr. Martinez served for 12 yeas in the U.S. Army, enlisting in 1954 and seeing duty in Germany, Japan, and Vietnam. He played in the Army Band was honorably discharged in 1966.

After his discharge from the Army, he held many jobs in Longmont, including jobs in construction, as an assembly worker and as a machine operator from farm to factories. He retired in June of 1990.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fred E. Acosta in 1945 in World War II and Marion Gaolegos in a coal mine in 1971.

Mr. Martinez is survived by four brothers, Sam Derrera and his wife Eva of Aurora, Manuel Acosta and his wife Molly, and Gabe Martinez and his wife Maria, all of Longmont, and Frank E. Martinez and his wife Pat, of Englewood; two sisters, Rachel Gonzales of Firestone and Patricia Lopez and her husband Luis of Longmont; and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, Wednesday, February 17, and from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 1993, at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., in Longmont.

An evening vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 1993, at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 1993, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fourth Avenue and Collyer Street in Longmont, with the Rev. Frank Maroney officiating.

Burial with military honors will be in Foothills Gardens of Memory.