Manuel A. Martinez, 94 died peacefully on Sunday, May 25, 2014 in Oxnard, California. He was born in Piru, California on June 3, 1920 to Merced and Julia Martinez. He married Eleanor Lozano on June 16, 1945 at St. Francis Church in Fillmore. Manuel worked for General Motors in Van Nuys for 35 years. He attended Piru School. He proudly served in the 505th QM Battalion in the United States Army and attained the rank of Sergeant from 1941 to 1945. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was very proud of his military service and made many lasting friendship and his old Army buddies in the Battalion called themselves the “The Squirrels” and they met for reunions from time to time after his discharged. He was the last living member of the group.
He lived in Piru for most of his life, he was known as Sleepy by all, and when he was younger was active in Little League base ball as a coach and then served as an umpire when he no longer coached. He served as a proud godfather to many young people now adults in the Piru area. He had a great love for sports and football and baseball were his favorite, of course the Los Angeles Dodgers was at the top of his must see list. He enjoyed fishing in Lake Piru upon his retirement. Most recently he was an avid Dominoes and poker player with those he lived with at Maywood Acres Health Center and with his family. He was known in Piru for his fun and friendly football and baseball pools. Everyone seemed to like to jump into Sleepy’s football and baseball pools for a chance to win! He also had a great love for billiards and won a number of tournaments. He was active a member of Family Circle Adult Care Center in Oxnard.
Manuel and Eleanor were married for 63 years, he was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor and his brothers Edward Martinez, Jesus Martinez, a sister Lucy Martinez he is survived by his brother, Salvador Martinez of Piru, his sister Carmen Miranda of Santa Barbara, his daughters, Viola Balbinot of Santa Barbara, Rosalinda Preciado of Henderson, NV, sons Deacon Manuel J. Martinez, fsp of Los Angeles and Steven Martinez of Fillmore. Also by four grandchildren, Steven Liebsh Martinez, Shawn Preciado, Christopher Preciado and Adrianna Preciado and two great grandchildren, Mariah Preciado and Shawn Jr. , also by numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1048 W. Ventura St. Fillmore, CA 93015, on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Bardsdale Cemetery.