MARTINEZ, Gregorio (Tata Curly)

Lozanos-Flagstaff Mortuary Flagstaff, Arizona GREGORIO "CURLY" MARTINEZ, 2009 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR, DIES AT 98 Gregorio "Tata Curly" Martinez, a longtime Flagstaff resident, died Thursday at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was 98. Andrew Saaul, M.D. confirmed the death. James B. Sedillo, Mr. Martinez's son-in-law who was at his side at the time of death, said he died of natural causes. Mr. Martinez was honored last November as Flagstaff's Citizen of the Year in a ceremony at City Council where mayor, and friend Sara Pressler proclaimed November 17 "Gregorio Curly Martinez Day" and presented him with a key to the city and a Certificate of Recognition for his many civic contributions. In 1967 Mr. Martinez joined the Coconino County Sheriff's Posse and eventually became its oldest "and proudest" lifetime chartered member, regularly appearing on horseback in the annual Fourth of July Parade downtown. Born November 17, 1911 in Albuqueque, New Mexico, Mr. Martinez lived in Standard and Sonora, California, then McNary, Arizona before settling in Flagstaff as a young man. He soon became a local fixture shining shoes during the day at the Commercial Hotel, Ray's Barber Shop and the Monte Vista Hotel while working as a janitor in the evenings at First National Bank, First Federal Savings and Valley Bank, the latter from which he retired in 1981. An avid horseback rider, Mr. Martinez originally kept his horses, Trigger, Flame and Sonny Boy, in his backyard on Center Street until the city passed a law prohibiting it. Afterwards, he stabled his horses at the Riordan Mansion on Riordan Road, where he also worked maintaining the property alongside his wife, Connie. In his later years, Mr. Martinez was a familiar sight to local residents as he strolled the streets with a bucket collecting aluminum cans for recycling. To many, he was known as Curly, and to others, simply "The Recycler." His first wife of 54 years, Connie, and his second wife of 12 years, Mary, preceded Mr. Martinez in death, as did his grandson Thomas Jay Jude Padilla. Mr. Martinez had five siblings, Leonardo, Vincente, Inez, Andy and Grace, who all preceded him in death, along with his parents Merced Martin (later changed to Martinez) and Cruzita Gonzales. Mr. Martinez is survived by his daughters, Mary Padilla of Santa Maria, CA and Nora Sedillo of Flagstaff, AZ., sons-in-law Joe Padilla and James Sedillo; six grand-children, Joseph, Sarah, Loretta, Maria Louisa, Joaquin and Paula; seven great-grandchildren, Shannon, Bryan, Alejandra, Laura, Josh, Alex and Kenny and a great-great-grandchild due in May. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mr. Martinez's name to Northland Hospice of Flagstaff or the St. Pius X Building Fund. Rosary Services begin at 1:00pm at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2257 E. Cedar Ave, Flagstaff, AZ followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00pm. Interment will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery.