Photos | Jose H. Martinez and Family

03/20/05: Jose Martinez named Colorado Grandparent of the Year

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Reprinted in loving memory of José Martínez

Sep 6 2003 12:00AM

 

By SYLVIA LOBATO

Alamosa Valley Courier

 

ALAMOSA - This September is a red-letter time for Jose H. Martinez - he will celebrate Grandparents Day Sunday, Sept. 7, he'll turn 90 Sept. 12 and he'll see the birth of his first great-great- grandchild sometime during the month.

 

He also has been selected Grandparent of the year for the State of Colorado by the National Grandparents Council.

 

Modest, he speaks little of himself and his history, but his children speak volumes.

 

He has eight children, 24 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

 

A native of Alamosa, Jose was mostly reared by his father. His mother died of the "black flu" when Jose was six and Jose spent a lot of time in the traditional New Mexico home of his grandparents, but attended school in Alamosa.

 

After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, attaining the rank of TSgt., then returning to Alamosa to live and raise his family.

 

After his marriage, he raised eight children, of whom six are still living. Sons Reyes and Mario died as young adults.

 

Widowed for some 30 years, he has lived quietly, strongly and independently, asking for help only when he absolutely must have it.

 

His eldest daughter, Veronica Vasquez, was part of the nomination process. She explains that her father lives life with "a certain grace." He is modest and unassuming, but always there for his family when they needed him.

 

Son James, director of the Alamosa HeadStart, marveled at the way his father has lived his life. "He's stable and consistent... early to bed, early to rise... moderation in everything you do."

 

"He never smoked, never drank... life in moderation," he adds.

 

His children remember his working to provide for his family. Sometimes he held three jobs, J.J.  remembers. "You had a big family, you had to provide for them."

 

Jose retired from the U.S. Postal service and has continued to be an active volunteer in the community.

 

James describes him as, "always busy - no couch potato."

 

His award letter notes that Jose enriches the lives of his grandchildren with his dignity of elderhood, and by the role model he is and has been for seniors and children.

 

One of his main dreams - as it is with many people from his generation - was that his children get a good education, and they have.

 

Veronica is principal of Polston Elementary School, daughter Rita Melgares is an attorney practicing in Omaha, Neb., Juan Jose "J.J." is retired from the U.S. Postal Service and operates his own monument business, Jerome works in Colorado Springs, Francisco is an attorney in Alamosa and James has been HeadStart director for 13 years.

 

Jose was recognized by President Carter as a VISTA Member. He worked in the Alamosa SHARE Program and currently works at the Alamosa Commodity Distribution Center.

 

While working with the Green Thumb Project, he began to look at alternative ways of preserving the abundance of his harvest.

 

"He built food dehydrators before it was trendy," says James, and J.J. recalls that Jose was at the grass roots of developing solar energy.

 

A devout Catholic, he attends Mass regularly and drives his car to church and wherever else he needs to go.

 

J.J. describes him as "Probably the greatest man I've ever known."

 

"He's very independent," says J.J. "He does his own checkbook and accounting."

 

He's there for his eldest son, who says, "I've been more dependent on him the last 10 years, since we're both retired."

 

James sometimes catches his dad watching television - but not for any long stretches. He's an avid Broncos fan and enjoys baseball. He also catches the daily newscasts.

 

As the grandparent he is honored for being, he also watches his grandchildren in whatever they do.

 

He's at the games, he's at the plays. He's there.

 

Perhaps one of the secrets to his healthy longevity is that he keeps his mind as active as his body.

 

James says his dad reads the newspaper and does the crossword puzzles.

 

"He represents grandparents who have lived to a wonderful, healthy age. He is a grandfather who respects and is respected by his grandchildren as well as the community," adds Rozann Needham, Veronica's daughter, soon to be a grandmother herself.

 

Asked to describe his father's character, James said it is firmly based in his belief in his God and his faith.

 

Acknowledging that the family has been thrust into the public eye from time to time, sometimes due to tragedy, James explains that his father took it in stride.

 

"He never questions life. He just accepts it. Even the challenges, he doesn't question them. There's no self-pity, he accepts things as they come."

 

Even with his quiet demeanor, Jose wasn't one to allow things that needed changing go unaddressed.

 

Since the family home was across the street from the huge Public Service Company power plant, Jose was unhappy that his wife - and all the other women on the south side - would often bring their washing in from the line soiled with soot.

 

He did something about it. J.J. remembers photographs of his father drawing lines in the soot on the sidewalk to call attention to the problem.

 

Measures were taken and the soot was reduced.

 

Describing Jose as "the silent strength" behind his growing family, James explains that he's totally non-judgmental. "I have never heard him curse anyone, or put anyone down."

 

With that in mind, how did this gentle man effect discipline? James explains that he and his brothers and sisters were never afraid of him. He never struck any one of them.

 

"He would hang his head, shake his head, and when he looked at us, we knew we had let him down."

 

The knowledge that they had displeased their father was punishment enough, he said.

 

Setting an example was also important. J.J. remembers when his dad got out of the service, he took a job with Sporleder's driving a delivery truck.

 

The work ethic was there, forming, and his children saw it grow.

 

Jose is also a father who likes to share laughter. J.J. remembers one day when he brought the delivery truck home at lunchtime.

 

"He said he had a lion in there. We all went and peeked in... It was a lion from a merry-go-round."

 

Presenting the award will be the National Grandparents Day Council, which was formed by descendants of the founder of Grandparents Day, Marian McQuade.

 

In 1970, Mrs. McQuade, a West Virginia housewife, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day solely for Grandparents.

 

The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in West Virginia in 1973 by then Governor Arch Moore.

 

Five years after its inception, in 1978, the United States Congress, under the leadership of President Carter, signed and passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.

 

McQuade, a mother of 15 with 40 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, founded National Grandparents Day for three reasons. First and foremost, this special day has been set aside to honor our grandparents.

 

Second, this holiday gives grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children, and third, to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance their elders can offer.

 

J.J. says his father is always there for the grandchildren and enjoys teaching what he can to his great-grandchildren, whether it be in the house, in church or in his carefully groomed yard.

 

The example of the father is there and it has traveled down through the generations as his children provide that same guidance, becoming grandparents themselves. The tradition of selecting a Grandparent of the Year was begun in West Virginia in 1973 by Mrs. McQuade, through a poster contest in the schools. Today, National Grandparents Day is observed by millions through the United States.

 

Proud grandchildren all across the nation nominate grandparents by composing and submitting essays, poetry, photos and poster drawings which detail and elaborate on the many reasons why they feel that their grandparents deserve to be awarded the distinguished title of "Grandparent of the Year."

 

Modest, Jose maintains he does what he has to do... nothing that special. His children and grandchildren have other ideas.

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