Anthony C. Martinez

Anthony Martinez, 78 passed peacefully at UNM-Hospital after an eight year battle with metastatic colon cancer.  He was surrounded by his family. The medical staff shared their appreciation for his tight knit family and his sense of humor.

Martinez was an educator who valued his family, faith and education and was dedicated to his wife Ida of 56 years.  They met in the village of Rociada, NM. They married and had two daughters Karen Martinez and Michelle Lontok.  He considered his son-in-law Lambert Lontok as his own son.  His pride and joy was his grandson Zachary Lynch, 18. 

Martinez underwent multiple procedures, years of chemo and a recent round of radiation in the hope of attending his grandson’s high school graduation.  Zach will graduate on May 28th from Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School and will attend UNM in the fall. His grandfather drove Zach to school and soccer throughout much of his life.  In a recent role reversal, his grandson began driving his “Abueyo” to his medical appointments and on important errands to pick up prescriptions and ice cream.

He was a retired APS administrator who began his student teaching at Del Norte High School and retired from La Cueva High School as an administrator.  He was the youngest person appointed as principal at Rio Grande High School in 1978. Upon his retirement from APS he attained his General Contractors license and began his own business. He and his wife Ida both gave their daughters a strong work ethic and the gift of a top notch education.

After his cancer diagnosis, he attended the ACTS retreat with Prince of Peace catholic church on the advice of family friend Joe Garcia. While at the retreat, he experienced healing of his body and soul.  He raised his arms and would say he felt the cancer had left his body when he was blessed by Father Michael Shea.  He visited Lourdes through the generosity of fellow parishioners where he experienced a similar feeling. Through his faith and his pure determination he lived years beyond his expected prognosis.

Our family is grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at UNM and the UNM Cancer Center. We appreciate the prayers and the love and support of family, friends and the beautiful Prince of Peace community.

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