Martin John Schortje Jr.

Sgt. 1st Class Martin John Schortje, Jr., age 93, passed away February 3, 2017 in Albuquerque, NM. Martin was born September 2, 1923 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Martin John, Sr. and Barbara (Kuhn) Schortje. Following the end of his high school years, Martin entered the Army in 1942. He was a decorated veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict receiving a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star medals. In his later years, he was the recipient of an award that then Senator Heather Wilson presented to him for his participation in the WWII Normandy Beach Invasion on D-Day. After retiring from the Army, Martin and his family moved to New Mexico in 1963, where he started work at the main Lovelace hospital on Gibson. Then he started a new career with the Albuquerque Police Department in their photo lab. Martin brought his many years of experience and expertise as a photographer to the police department. Toward the end of his second career, Martin started his own business, Schortje Photography, where he was able to capture, on film, many weddings of Albuquerque newlyweds.  Martin was known for being a “stickler” about being prompt and “on-time”, something his years in the military most likely instilled in him. He is survived by his daughters; Heidi Jensen and husband Dan and Lori Hart, both of Albuquerque. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Heather Martinez, Christopher Hart, Michael Hart, and Jennifer Hart; sister, Ruth Delliacono and Ron Hart. Martin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary in 2001 and his son-in-law, Dennis Hart in 2006. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.  A private family service will be held at a later time.

The family would like to thank the staff at Lovelace Women’s Hospital and the love and care he received at Life Spire.