Joseph Antonio Martinez

Joseph Antonio Martinez 

1969-2024 

Joseph Antonio Martinez, 55, of Los Lunas, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.  

Joseph was loved by his family and friends. Joseph was a unique individual and would paraphrase his favorite Apple commercial saying that he was a Mac in a family of PCs. To those lucky enough to know him, he shared his great sense of humor that ranged from being incredibly corny to appropriately inappropriate with an impeccable sense of timing.  

He also had a deep passion for discussing anything related to sports.  

He was born in El Paso, Texas, and lived in Las Cruces, N.M., until he was 7 when his parents, Jesus and Connie, moved to Los Lunas, where they raised their family. Joseph was a high performer in all he did, whether it was playing Little League baseball, high school football and basketball, playing first chair tuba in the band or academic study.  

Joseph attended Los Lunas High School, where he was the valedictorian for the class of 1987. Joseph earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, where he also enjoyed working as a children’s counselor at the Stanford Sierra Camp in the summers.  

Despite being diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis, he obtained his medical doctorate from the University of California at San Diego, where he became a fan of the (then) San Diego Chargers.  

His journey brought him home to New Mexico, where he completed a rigorous medical residency in pediatrics at the University of New Mexico. He enjoyed returning to his favorite camping and fishing spots, like Bonito Lake or the Pecos with his brothers and nephews.  

Joseph is preceded in death by his brother, Jesus (Chuy) Martinez; his nephew, Aaron Martinez; his maternal grandparents, Raymond and Lupe Cote; and paternal grandparents, Lolo and Lita Martinez.  

He is survived by his parents, Jesus and Connie Martinez; his siblings, Ignacio Martinez, Marcos Martinez, Rosalie Torres, Judy Martinez, Martin Martinez and Benjamin Martinez; and his nephews and nieces, Gabriel Martinez, Alexis Torres, Gregory Martinez, Gerald Torres, Nathaniel Martinez, Rebecca Martinez, Michael Martinez, Matthew Martinez, Garret Martinez, Toni Martinez, Lucas Martinez, Dominic Martinez and Ian Martinez. He is also survived by many cousins in Albuquerque, El Paso and across the country.  

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Joseph’s honor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org.  

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 22, at San Clemente Parish in Los Lunas. A visitation will begin at 9 a.m. in the gathering room, followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. 

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.