Obituary of Lorenzo Alvarez Martinez

Lorenzo Alvarez Martinez was born on August 10, 1927, in Tlacotepec Oaxaca, Mexico. Orphaned at the age of 5 years old and claimed by no family, and given no opportunity for formal education, he continually strived for more. At the age of 12, he trained to be a barber and eventually opened his own barbershop La Peluqueria Zaragoza. The trade would also become his life’s passion and one that he practiced until he fell ill in June of 2022. He met his wife Rosa Maria Urbina in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico. A young lady who was also devastated due to her own education being cut off after the 6th grade to help support her family of 12. They wed in 1953 thus becoming the genesis of the Martinez family. A man of strong faith and a patron of the Southern Baptist Church of Texas, he completely devoted the rest of his life to Jesus Christ. A man of strong character and principle, he highly valued and made family the central part of his life and that of our family. Lorenzo along with his wife and their firstborn Sergio Lorenzo relocated to Port Isabel, Texas in 1955. There he worked at Marine Mart Shipyard for several years before making the decision to migrate to Hollister California to work in the agricultural fields of San Benito County and Tri-Valley Growers Cannery for 33 years. In his quest to provide more for his children Lorenzo encouraged them to embrace their Mexican heritage and pursue higher education. The value of education was so substantial that even as a migrant working family he was able to send all his children to major universities which became foundational to their success. A tradition of scholars that is now carried on by his grandchildren. Lorenzo is survived by his wife Rosa Maria, and children Sergio (Marina), Nora (Agustin), Jose (Emily), and Michael. As well as his grandchildren Lizsette (Michael), Richard (Rebecca), Vanessa (Alex), Annie (Jesus), Eva (Alex), Sergio, Mikaela, and Nathan. Great grandchildren include Jesus, Cristian, Adrian, Edith, Isabella, Rocky, Rambo, Selena, Anthony, and Loren. Services will be held at Grunnagle Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St. in Hollister, CA on Wednesday, September 28th beginning at 10 am. Burial service will follow and be held at IOOF Cemetery, 600 Buena Vista Rd., Hollister, CA. The Martinez invites you to join the services via live stream on Zoom. Time: Sep 28, 2022, 09:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82615330855?pwd=azYzK3JLVDFvdmlIMkp2QkhqVU1TQT09 Meeting ID: 826 1533 0855 Passcode: mtz Michael4martinez@aol.com