Gregorio J. Martinez

Greg Martinez, dearly beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather & great grandfather, passed away at his home in the presence of his family on December 26, 2011. Left to cherish his memory are, his beloved wife, Vicki, daughter, Maralene Wagner, son, Andrew Martinez, brothers Phillip Martinez, Wilfred Martinez and Charles Martinez, Sisters Rosie Recek, Dora Deleon, Della Gomez, Sandy Brassfield, Dorothy Vigil, Sadie Hernandez, Elsa Christianson, LuAnn Rogers, and Janet Martinez, nine grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Proceeded in Death by his father Everisto and mother Lucianna Martinez, brothers Nicholas and Nash Martinez and sisters Mary Hernandez and Delores Martinez. Greg's children and grandchildren asked him jot down a few words about his life. Here is his story as he ecalled his life's journey: ""My education lasted only through the 8th grade, when circumstances required that I quit school and go to work to help support my family. In 1960 I was working for a farmer in Fowler, CO. After a rainstorm I got his tractor stuck in a field. Rather than listen to the mean old guy, I hoped off the tractor, packed my bags and headed to Denver CO. When I arrived, I got a job at the Copper Kitchen busing tables for 90 cents an hour. They liked my work ethic and in 3 years I was promoted through various kitchen duties to Head Chef. I held that position for 17 years. In 1979 I went to work for El Toritio in Denver and was transferred to Indianapolis, IN as the Head Food and Beverage Director supervising the opening of new restaurants for the company. In 1981 I entered the Indiana Chili Cook Off contest and took 1st place. That led to opening my own restaurant, Casa Del Rey. Things went well for a while, but I really needed to get back to my family in Denver. So in 1984 I returned to Denver. When I arrived, I got a job as Chef at the Crestwood restaurant. I was there for many years before leaving to take a Prep Cook job at Silver Hills restaurant in Golden, CO, which later became Capital Grille. This allowed me time to focus on my new rental properties and enabled me to retire so I could spend more time with my children and grandchildren."" Greg was an amazingly creative, energetic and accomplished person. He inspired everyone he came in contact with and could fix a delicious meal in minutes. He could also build anything, fix anything, and was always there for his friends and family. He loved to reach out to family members with a helping hand, open heart, and sympathetic ear. He left us with wonderful memories and will be in our hearts forever. A Funeral Mass for Greg will held at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Cathoic Church, 1060 St. Francis Way, Denver, Colorado, 80204. Please share memories and leave condolences for Greg's family by signing the guestbook.