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MARTIN ESPINOZA Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for MARTIN ESPINOZA
Phil/Nancy Harding
July 18, 2010
July 18,2010
I was shocked to hear about the passing of Marty to be with the Lord. Last Fall, my wife Nancy and I were in Pleasanton to visit and decided to stop by and see Lupe after many, many years. He was at home with his daughter, Emily. We had a great time reminiscing about the Viking Soccer team of 1971/72 coached by Bill Reineking and myself. Marty at that time loved soccer, was easily coached and would stay after practice to continue playing with Mitch Mueller. His family was special. Lupe was probably at every practice we had for two years and sometimes his whole family would be there. They were at all of our games. Lupe would help us out during practices when we needed it.
All of the attributes mentioned about Marty in other Guest Book letters applied to him as an eight and nine year old boy - a reflection of good parenting. I heard off and on about Marty's progress thru the ranks of soccer, but didn't know how successful he was. It doesn't surprise me because of his good attitude and determination to be the best.
Our thoughts and prayers are for the Lord to comfort his wife, children, Lupe and Emily through this period of time.
Finlay Boag
July 6, 2010
I first meet Marty when we were kids. He played soccer in Pleasanton and I played in Dublin, California. We played against each other for years and we always had to worry about who was going to cover Marty because he was such a dangerous player. He was a very talented player. Marty and I played on the same for three years at Chico State University. Marty was always a great player and loved the game more than anyone I ever knew. However, the thing I remember most about Marty was his smile and he was always clowning around and playing jokes on people, Including me, but I could never get mad at Marty because he would laugh and flash that smile that could warm any heart. Marty, myself, and a few other guys on the team hung out a lot and he loved to laugh. He made everyone around him feel happy.
I haven't seen Marty for years but often told stories of how he made me laugh. When I heard about his death I could not believe it and was deeply saddened.
I knew his wife in Suzanne in college and I always thought she and Marty were lucky to find each other. Two good hearts came together. Marty will be missed and I will countine to remember my old friend.
Collin Sitler
June 29, 2010
I was blessed enough to be trained by Marty, I can say without a doubt I would not be the person nor player I am today if it was not for him. Marty taught me how to Love the game. He will always hold a special place in my heart.
Anson Dorrance
June 28, 2010
We lost another good one .... I trusted his judgment on players and never hesitated to get his opinion. All of us in the game will miss him.
Linda Ott
June 27, 2010
All my daughters were privileged to be trained by Marty and are deeply saddened by the loss. He was inspirational and believed in all of them. He made soccer which is hard work...fun.
June 26, 2010
What a wonderful celebration today of his life. Such an inspiration.
Don Batie
June 26, 2010
Marty Espinoza
When God Smiles!
In soccer, as in life, when you become the best version of “You”, God smiles!
Marty Espinoza coached hundreds, probably thousands, of youth players. When I sat down to write this I thought about what “Gifts” Marty would want to leave to his players.
I first saw Marty (The Flea) Espinoza in 1978 at a tournament in Pleasanton, California. Yes, we called him “The Flea”. I was there to scout High School Juniors for the upcoming recruiting class. There were several highly touted players there, but as the tournament progressed only one player shined the brightest. That player was Marty!
We were very fortunate the following year when Marty committed to play soccer at Chico State. While at Chico, Marty “The Flea” (all 5’7” and 140 pounds of him) led our team in scoring, team assists and total team points three of his four years. He also led his team to three Conference Championships, two NCAA Regional appearances, and a NCAA Final Four Championship Tournament. Marty was selected to All-Conference and All-Region teams and in 1983 was Chico State’s 21st player to sign a professional contract when he became a member of the Houston Dynamos.
Those are pretty impressive stats for any player, but I think Marty would want to leave as his legacy more important “Gifts” to his players.
His first gift would be to magically give his players his true love for the game. If you played for Marty, I’m sure you heard him talk about playing with heart. The truth is, you can’t play the game with heart unless you truly love the game. You see, Marty played with more heart and more soul than most other players. We never could figure out how he got a 90-pound heart into a flea! He would say first and foremost “Love the game”.
His second gift would be to magically give his players his team loyalty. As a college player, Marty was the ultimate team player and team leader. I never coached a player who appreciated his team more, loved his teammates more, and respected his coach more than Marty. His leadership didn’t require words. He simply led by demonstrating his loyalty.
His third gift would be to magically give his players the thing he did best. That is, as a player, he became the best version of “Marty”. His success came from the fact that he was most capable of playing the game of soccer in his own skin. Marty was the master of maximizing his own strengths and minimizing his own weaknesses.
Marty, thank you for leaving us these gifts. We will miss you, we will always love you, and with these gifts we can become better players and better people. Like you, we will strive to become the very best version of ourselves. Because you taught us that in soccer, and in life, when “I” become the best version of “Me”, God smiles!
-Don Batie,
Marty’s College Coach
California State
University, Chico
Clay & Amy Wick
June 26, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. God bless!
Vera K Shanar
June 25, 2010
Wow, Marty.
I've missed my experiences being trained by you so much in the past. I loved your enthusiasm, your uttermost patience, your faith in me, and your love for the sport. I, as many others, will never forget your funny jokes and the happy times spent playing soccer with you. I will always have that image of you on the sidelines forever.
My condolences to the family - what a sad loss it is.
Ken Ashcroft
June 25, 2010
Met and knew Marty when I joined the staff at Houston Express soccer club. You can't help but be facinated by the simplicity of his training method, especially the young ones. He truely has agentle heart and is always ready to help. Never lost his number since I met him. He will be missed and my condolenses to his wife and children. May God give you all the strenght bear your lose
Leslie, Mike and Chris Corrigan
June 25, 2010
Heaven just became a happier place. We will miss you, Marty. We pray for peace and comfort for Suzie, Danny and Sara.
Cliff McCrath
June 24, 2010
God gave the planet a new definition of CLASSY the day He sent marty to earth. Apparently He needed him to expand the definition in another venue. We will miss him massivley.
Mike Mitchell
June 23, 2010
We are going to miss you Marty. He played with us on the Chico State Men`s soccer team 1980. He was an incredible player on the field and person off.
Jason Mahan
June 23, 2010
The life and soul of any training camp I had the honour of working with him at....I knew Marty for a couple of years only while at Rice in 2001 & 2002 ... a great, helpful and friendly man who it seemed there was no task too great for. I never met his family but my thoughts and prayers are with you. i wish i could be there for the celebration of his life...i will be thinkng of you all..Jason.
Daniel Bribiescas
June 23, 2010
This is a tough one. I was fortunate enough to play with Marty in college. He was a wizard with the ball, fun to watch and a joy to play with; he made the game a joy insted of work. Off the field he was full of life, love and laughter. So confident in himself, even as a freshman, he was never afraid to be himself even if it brought jokes and laughter raining down on himself; we laugh with Marty not at him. He is part of a very unique group in Chico. We all loved, admired and respected Marty. This is sad and he will be missed. DannyB (Dan Bribiescas)
Shelly McDavid
June 22, 2010
Memories of Marty - Practices at the Jewish Community Center, Ron's pub or the Richmond Arms after, parties at the Malloys, soccer games galore... years later there is Marty training my daughter...what a great contribution he made to our sport and to so many people's lives. Our thoughts are with you Suzy, Danny, Sara and all.
Lindsay Novy
June 22, 2010
Marty trained both my sister and I for many years and I'm deeply saddened by his passing. He played a major role in shaping my life from such a young age to eventually choosing to play college soccer. He was so much more than a trainer that it's difficult to express what he meant to me. I would be hard pressed to find anyone who was coached by him that did not feel the same way as I do. What a monumental loss to the soccer community and my sincerest condolences go out to his family.
William Hawker
June 22, 2010
I have great memories of Marty coaching our Dynamos U23 team back in the late 80's/early 90's. I was very sorry to hear of his passing and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Lana Thomas
June 22, 2010
Marty will be missed by so many people. He was such a wonderful man and has inspired so many people. I have so many amazing memories with him on the soccer field that will live on forever.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Dirk Cameron
June 22, 2010
I really enjoyed Marty and his passion for coaching/training young kids. Marty led my session for my E License in 2007. I also had a quality time catching up with him in February 2010 in San Antonio at the ODP 1996 Girls tryouts - my daughter Emily (Texans) and his daughter Sara (Dynamos) were on the same team. Our family will be praying for the Espinosa Family during this difficult time.
Vicky Khano Villarreal
June 21, 2010
I owe everything I know and love about soccer to Marty. He is the reason for all my accomplishments and the only person I wanted to train my children one day. Marty's influence and love for soccer in this city of Houston helped attract so many to the sport. My husband was even coached by him. He was a friend, an example, and one I admired. He will be greatly missed! My condolences go out to Suzanne, Danny, Sara and the rest of the family
Becca McCollum
June 21, 2010
Marty was such an amazing man and I am thankful to have known him and played for him. He touched the lives of many people and leaves behind a great legacy of players. I am a better person thanks to him. My deepest condolences to his family. Its been many many years (15) since I have seen him but I know he has continued to do amazing things for the sport! He will be greatly missed!
Becca McCollum
Jeannie Z
June 21, 2010
Marty was one of the sweetest and dearest people and always displayed such a great love of his family. Suzanne, I know you have incredible strength and faith, and I pray you will find comfort in Him. Sara and Danny are amazing kids that you and Marty can be so proud of. May God's presence guide you and bless you always.
William and Iris Saari
June 20, 2010
June 20,2010
We just heard about Marty passing away.
We feel so sad for Lupe and the family.
We lived across the street from the
Espinoza's We loved them. He was a sweet boy
P Stein
June 20, 2010
Deepest sympathy to the family of Coach Marty. He had a big impact on my daughter and many other girls in their soccer careers. He will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Hal Becker
June 20, 2010
Dear Espinoza family,
I have known Marty for a number of years and was greatly saddened by the news. Marty was always a gentleman, always had a smile and a hug for a friend and was a great trainer and role model for the kids. We will all miss seeing him on the pitch. Our soccer world was certainly a better place for having Marty as a representative.
sydney berg
June 19, 2010
Jime and I remember Marty from his days playing with the Dynmos. He was agreat person and always very nice to our children, Timm and Amanda. And all of the children at Southwest Soccer Club.
Eileen Voelker
June 19, 2010
Marty, you we're my next door neighbor on Kolln st while growing up in Pleasanton, California. I am saddened to here that you have passed away.
Our childhood was filled with kids playing on our street until the light came on and you always had a ball to play with. I am glad to see that your talent in soccer took you very far in life and you had a chance to share your talent with those around you. My condolences to your dad at this difficult time.
John Gaughan
June 19, 2010
Marty was always there with a smile and a outlook on the brighter side of life. i know Marty is in a better place. my condolences to the family and prayers for all of you. i am out of the country and i will sadly miss his services. i was honored to know Marty in life. Marty had a way of blessing all of those who got to know him, he was very special.
Christian Navarro
June 19, 2010
You were my high school for four years @ Saint Thomas from 1986-1990. You will always be remembered.
Christian Navarro
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