Agustin Martinez's Obituary
It is with heartfelt sorrow and great esteem for a life well lived we say "Adios" to Agustin F. Martinez, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He peacefully departed this life at 100 years of age from his home surrounded by his three loving daughters.
Agustin was born to Juanita Fernandez Martinez and Fermin Martinez on August 28, 1925 in Durango, Mexico. As a child growing up, he lived on many different ranches in Mexico with his family. Agustin had a fierce sense of justice, and would have violently settled an issue had others not intervened when a landowner refused to pay him his salary due to his father's debts. He left there and worked in Mexico in various positions. At 18-19 years old he worked with Comandante Jesus Quiñones in the Mexican Police Force. Due to his work ethic and solid character, Agustin quickly ascended and was made second in command, which caused much jealousy and hatred. Francisco Maldondo and Albino Torres, co-workers in the force, made his life miserable and unsafe. Once while apprehending a suspect he was ambushed by them. They ended up shooting at him hoping to kill him, from which he was able to escape and apprehend them. On another occasion, the Comandante told Agustin to take a prisoner who was ill to the doctor. He forgot protocal and took him in the evening. His jealous co-workers immediately reported him and had him arrested. He spent four days in jail until he found a way to get a message to Captain Barraza of the Mexican army. The Captain freed him by force at gunpoint and straightened out the whole situation.
Agustin also worked as a supervisor to lay a road where none had existed before, clearing the path where the road would be laid named La Grenje Teneflan in La Sierra Madre. Using his sharp mind, he was the first supervisor able to meet the work expectations and timeline of completion. He set distance goals for clearing the path daily and once reached, the workers could go home for the day with a full days pay. They worked hard and fast to leave early! Dad left that job in order to come to the United States. The engineer, Carlos Bolaños, told him he could have his job back if he returned.
Agustin traveled to Texas and worked with others who went on to Chicago. But he went back to see his family. He was eventually able to build a home for his parent's with his U.S. earnings.
Dad lived seasonally with his maternal tio, Francisco Fernandez, when he went to harvest the crops.
In the late 1940's, Agustin met Benita Ruiz, our mother, in Corcoran, CA, picking cotton. She was very petite and could not lift a 100 pound sack of cotton over an irrigation border. He helped her lift the sack(after first running his fingers through his hair, according to Mom) and that was the beginning of a relationship that blossomed into their marriage on November 5th, 1952.
Agustin and Benita had five children; Sofia, Jennie(deceased), Lupe, Augie Jr.(deceased), and Elena. Their three remaining daughters gave them twelve grandchildren, who then gave them twenty six great-grandchildren and they lastly gave them three great-great-grandchildren.
Agustin worked as a seasonal farm laborer, and also worked over 30yrs at the Contadina cannery in Riverbank, CA in various jobs. In 1969 he was able to buy his first home with a half acre of land. This gave him an intense appreciation for the land and what it could yield. This inspired him to plant trees and maintain a garden in his own home, as well as maintain a beautiful yard. Even in his later years, no weed could grow for long in his yard, as he would walk it daily and pull them out by hand. He eventually retired as a highly skilled forklift driver and warehouse manager, at the age of sixty two, because he saw many of his friends often become ill and die within a year after retiring. Retiring at sixty two he thought he would be able to at least enjoy a year or two of his pension and social security. Jokes on them, he lived to be 100 and was retired for 38 years!
Agustin lived a full life and always kept a positive attitude, even when he became very ill. When asked how he was doing he always responded, "Bien."
May he rest in peace, his work on earth is done. His example will live on in our hearts. We love you Daddy...
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