Manuel “Manny” Martinez

Born March 4th, 1947

Departed to be with the Lord September 11th, 2023

Loving husband to Rose Martinez and later, loving

husband to Sylvia Scherrer;

Loving father to his dear daughters Roseanne Martinez and Dawn Martinez (Krystina Raynes);

Loving stepfather to Dinorah Blanco, Sergio Blanco, John Scherrer and Tommy “Tomas” Scherrer Sr;

Loving grandfather aka “Grandpa Manny” to Alexander Blanco, Jared Blanco, Adrianne Blanco, Rosa Bella Crumpley Blanco, Karissa Scherrer, Hunny Gutierrez Scherrer, Asia Castro Scherrer, Cristianne Scherrer, Tommy TJ Scherrer, Tino Gonzalez Scherrer, Eythan Scherrer and great grandsons Aiden Blanco and Ian Castro Scherrer.

Manny was born in San Simon, Michoacán, Mexico. He moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was 9 years old with his sister, Delores to live with their uncle. After graduating from South Hills High School (1967) he met Rose and they married in 1969.

Manny was attending college and playing semi-pro soccer when he enlisted in the Army. A week before his deployment to serve in Vietnam (1970), him and Rose were blessed to have their first daughter, Roseanne. After returning from Vietnam and being stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he and Rose were blessed again in 1972 with their second daughter, Dawn.

Staff Sergeant Martinez continued his Army career with his family in tow to Germany, Georgia, and after becoming a Military Policeman- Seneca Army Depot, New York, a second tour to Germany, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, an unaccompanied tour to Korea and then finishing out his Army career of 21 years at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and retired in 1991.

After retirement, he and the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Manny worked as a tour guide for the Phoenix Downtown Partnership and then worked security for several years for the America West Arena and Bank One ballpark, where he enjoyed working the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Rattlers and Diamondback games. He also worked & retired as an Officer with Maricopa County Protective Services, ASRS.

In July 2004, Rose unexpectedly passed away. This loss pushed him to find his family in Mexico. On his first trip back to San Simon in many years, he was able to connect with his sister Aurora, brother Luis, nephews Rigo, Jaime, Raul, Juan Carlos and many other members of the Valdivia and Chavarria families in San Simon and Mexico City.

As time went on and his heart continued to heal, he met Sylvia, and they married in 2006. Manny and Sylvia were able to retire and enjoy life together. Manny loved life, he loved to travel, he loved all sports- he was also a lifetime fan of the 6-time Super bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. He was always laughing and joking. He would strike up conversations with strangers and they would automatically become friends.

Manny is a decorated Army Vietnam Veteran and is esteemed in the highest honor, by those who knew him and loved him. He will be missed and never forgotten.