Abel Martinez

Abel Martinez, husband, father of four, grandfather to five, and a retired Public Health Educator for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, passed away in Cambria, California on May 27, 2021 at the age of 77 years after a long battle with liposarcoma cancer. He was originally diagnosed with this cancer in 1998. Abel is survived by his wife of 52 years, Antoinette “Toni” Martinez; his three sons, David, Victor and Vincent; and his two half-brothers, Rick Montes and Gilbert Montes. He is predeceased by his third oldest son, Alex; his mother, Mercedes Montes; and his half-brother, Louie Montes. Abel was born in San Antonio, Texas on June 17, 1943. He moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 7 and graduated from Belmont High School. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and served in Germany from 1965-1967. He married Toni on December 28, 1968 having met at the Optimist Home for Boys in Los Angeles. They originally resided in Eagle Rock, California and then settled to South Pasadena, California for over 30 years. He graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Social Work; he then earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from UCLA. He was a 27-year public health educator until he and Toni retired in 2001. They both then moved to Cambria to make it their permanent residence the last 20 years. Abel was an avid runner and volunteer. He took part in 18 marathons held at various venues in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Scotland and Ireland. He used running as a platform to raise funds for several causes such as the American Cancer Society, the Jimmy Fund and for local community members who also were battling cancer. He was also very involved in volunteer service these past 20 years such as serving as a docent at the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon and member of the Santa Rosa Church Men’s Club. He will be missed deeply by his family, friends, and all who knew him, but has moved on to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reconnect with family and friends who passed away before him. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on June 26, 2021 at Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Cambria, California. Father Mark Stetz will officiate.