Frank Galvan Martinez

IN  LOVING  MEMORY  OF

Frank Galvan Martinez

October 4, 1923 — January 22, 2017

VISITATION

Monday, January 30, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wildrose Chapel & Funeral Home

916 E. Divisadero, Fresno, California

ROSARY

Monday, January 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

Wildrose Chapel & Funeral Home

916 E. Divisadero, Fresno, California

GRAVESIDE  SERVICE

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

St. Peter's Cemetery

264 N. Blythe, Fresno, California

SURVIVING  RELATIVES

Daughter:  Christine Terrazas

Son:  Frank Martinez, Jr.

Son:  Richard Martinez

Son:  Ernest Martinez

Granddaughter:  Dena Suzanne Gonzalez

Granddaughter:  Brandi Briseno

Granddaughter:  Andrea Rodriguez

Granddaughter:  Amanda Contreras

Granddaughter:  Janyne Mirelez

Granddaughter:  Angelina Gutierrez

Grandson:  Ernest Paul Martinez, Jr.

Great Granddaughter:  Adriana Gonzalez

Great Grandson:  Luke Frank Gonzalez

Great Grandson:  Christyan Martinez

Great Grandson:  Frankie Martinez

Great Granddaughter:  Cayleigh Martinez

Great Grandson:  Jacoby Briseno

Great Granddaughter:  Marisa Martinez

Great Granddaughter:  Natalie Rodriguez

Great Grandson:  Isaac Rodriguez

Great Granddaughter:  Aleena Reyna

Great Grandson:  Salvador Reyna

Great Granddaughter:  Arianna Mirelez

Great Grandson:  Aiden Mirelez

Great Grandson:  Jace Mirelez

Great Grandson:  Eren Gutierrez

Great Grandson:  Alvin Gutierrez

Sister:  Maria Socorro Martinez

GRANDPA FRANK

Heaven is much nearer now

That Grandpa Frank is over there.

It seems I hear the angels

As they sing his welcome air.

I hear the dear familiar voice,

I see the tender smile.

At last his gentle loving hands

Will rest a little while.

If he could speak to me

I know he’d tell me not to grieve

As I linger over odds and ends

I cannot bear to leave.

How precious are the memories

That flood my aching heart

How many are the little things

That set Grandpa Frank apart.

How very much we loved him,

How much we love him still.

And lonely is the empty place

That no one else can fill.

OBITUARY

Frank G. Martinez was born in Fresno, California on October 4, 1923 to Angel and Manuela Martinez. Frank attended Lincoln Elementary School and then Edison High School. Then after several years of hot pursuit on June 20, 1943 he married his sweetheart Frances Garcia and they began their lives together. Frank and Frances enjoyed going to the park, going to the movies, but especially dancing at the rainbow ballroom. Whenever there was an opportunity to go dancing, Frank and Frances were there. Four years later their first child and only daughter Christine was born on February 10, 1947. Then four years after that on March 29, 1951 their first son Frank Jr. was born. Frank and Frances had two more sons, Richard who was born on January 17, 1953 and their youngest son Ernest who was born on April 5, 1959.

During his working career, Frank worked at Ortho Chemical Company, Tom’s Food Distributors, and Sunnyside Car Wash. However his love was his music. Frank played guitar with the musical group Actavio Ruelas y Los Latinos. Frank played at several different venues all over the San Joaquin Valley. Frank enjoyed over 50 years of his musical career. Frank’s love of music was passed down to his sons, who each have learned to play the guitar. His passion for music still lives strong in his youngest son Ernest who continues to actively play the guitar like his father.

Frank as the head of the family was much loved, and as his family grew his love spread. His children Christine and her husband Marcus, Frank and his wife Delia, Richard and his wife Laura, and Ernest and his wife Virgina along with his 7 grandchildren Dena, Brandi, Janyne, Andrea, Amanda, Angelina and only grandson Ernest would often get together for family events and holidays. During the early years the typical family outing was going to Roeding Park and having a family picnic. Frances would pack a hearty lunch for all to share and Frank and everyone always enjoyed her potato salad. Family would often play baseball and badminton at the park. Family Bar-B-Q’s and birthday celebrations were often spent with the family. As Frances and Frank grew older, they would sit together on the front porch and talk and remember the family times that they had in the past.

Then after 69 years of marriage, on March 15, 2012, Frances (the love of his life) went to be with the Lord and his life changed forever. Frank spent the following 5 years  filled with love of his children, grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Frank and Frances have now been united together again with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Frank will always be remembered and loved by his family, but now it is time for Frank and Frances to dance in Heaven together for all eternity. Frank lived a long and fruitful life; he was truly loved by his family and will always be remember in the hearts of those that loved him.

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